In a message dated 14/05/2007 22:05:16 GMT Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: <<While in Africa, worker numbers can be rebuild on good forage in season, this sort of blind defensiveness in Europe would deprive colonies of much needed workers in Europe's forests where significant forage availability is limited to spring. >> I wonder; many parts of Africa have very seasonal rainfall with long dry seasons. There must surely be months on end with little or no forage in some parts of the continent. How defensive are the bees there? Regards, Robert Brenchley, Birmingham UK ****************************************************** * Full guidelines for BEE-L posting are at: * * http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm * ******************************************************