Phil Torchio of the USDA Bee Lab in Logan, Utah, just called my attention to the fact that Dr. Suzanne Batra in Beltsville has just advertised in the American Bee Journal, offering to send people a ground-nesting solitary bee she has brought in from Japan and reared in Beltsville, Anthophora pilipes. We have discussed this some, as to what it might mean and what might be done about it, and following Dr. Torchio's suggestion, I am posting this message. Ostensibly, this is an honest attempt on Dr. Batra's part to bring to this country bees which might be able to assist in pollination of orchard crops, blueberries, etc. - but this sort of unrestricted distribution is of dubious scientific, ethical, and legal nature. There are a few native species of Anthophora (and related genera such as Habropoda) in the eastern US, and *numerous* species in the west, which might be potentially affected in an adverse manner by the introduction of this non-native bee; there are small additional risks involved in the shipping of these bees in soil from Maryland, as the soil itself is also obviously not sterile. While there is no *guarantee* of either negative or positive effects of the mass introduction of this bee species, it is my opinion (and I know I'm not alone in this) that, given our limited knowledge (and some past examples), the risks to our little-appreciated native bee fauna outweigh the possible benefits. Dr. Batra, while clearly meaning well, has also in the past introduced non-native bees in a similar manner, specifically the leafcutter bee Osmia cornifrons, the results of which have also apparently had negative side-effects. I do not intend this as a personal attack, for Dr. Batra is a respected colleague, but I am concerned that this sort of casual introduction is at best irresponsible. The history of the past two centuries has seen dozens upon dozens of well-meaning introductions gone awry all over the world, and we can perhaps avoid another one here, if word gets out. Just because bees are not *pests* does not mean that they cannot have negative impacts on other *bee* species. I would urge that anyone considering taking up her offer of free bees decline the invitation, and politely spread the word among their colleagues to do so if they hear of the offer. In essence, I am proposing a boycott until and unless there is careful, controlled testing which specifically addresses the *ecological* consequences of competition between this bee and native Anthophora species (at the very least). Again, it is not *necessarily* an ecological disaster in the making, but this introduction does NOT follow proper procedures of quarantine and controlled testing. We simply do not know what impact these bees may have on native pollinators (many of which *might* be capable of performing the services for which A. pilipes is being advertised - we haven't been able to *test* enough of them yet to know!), and in the absence of carefully gathered data, this hasty decision might later prove to be a regrettable one. I'd urge people to err on the side of caution. Sincerely, Doug Yanega Illinois Natural History Survey, 607 E. Peabody Dr. Champaign, IL 61820 USA phone (217) 244-6817, fax (217) 333-4949 "There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness is the true method" - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, Chap. 82