Quote: DNA research has come forward a great deal in that time frame also, and we now know that DNA changes eversoslightly with each mating. So I would have to say that since I firmly believe that Environment (which includes cell size)is a catalist that then changes both diet and breeding, then our hives' genetics have changed just by us changing cell size. Reply: Here is an example of how a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. The above statement uses scientific terms without understanding the ideas that are *supposed* to go with them. The author may "believe" that changes in diet and cell size will alter the bees' DNA -- but that hardly makes it true. Some examples: Does our author believe that if plasic surgery Michael Jackson succeeds in making him look like Liz Taylor, then his children will look like Liz Taylor, too? How about dogs: suppose you want a short haired Collie. Will giving the parents a short haircut produce short-haired offspring? Maybe you have to shave successive generations ... On the other hand, it has been shown that some species respond readily to selection. These species are called: "variable". Examples are dogs, of course, and chickens, pigeons, etc. Even humans are highly variable. But there has to be controlled mating and there has to be variability in the trait. You can raise dogs that are large, small, etc. but not dogs with hands like monkeys. If I wanted to raise small bees, I would either: 1) use regular sized comb and measure the bees to find which ones are genetically smaller. If you use smaller cells, you will create an environmental effect that would mask any real genetic variation. Or 2) use bees that are already small: African Bees. I suspect this is what they have down there in Arizona. I am sorry to bring this up again, but people should think about the implications of a statement like "Environment changes breeding". It is not only unscientific, -- it's anti-scientific. Which is fine, be anti-science. But then you cannot turn around refer to changes in the "DNA" . Isis Glass -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---