Garth wrote:
>
> > From:    David Kesler <[log in to unmask]>
> > Subject: Observation hive ... to cover or not to cover?
>
> Hi All
>
> To reply to David's post about an observation hive:
>
> In the book, Honeybees and Wax, and Experimental Natural History, by
> Proffessor HR Hepburn, who heads bee research at my University (also
> Rhodes University) in South Africa, he mentions that bees are
> disinclined to draw wax in open light and that they require dim too
> dark conditions to satisfactorily prodce wax
       bees do in fact build comb in the light.I personally have seen
comb in the open under tree limbs,on the outside of hives,under the eves
of houses etc.many tropical species build hives in the open.darkness is
not required.