Hello Michael (You mentioned having seen bees with 2 or 3 lancets). I recall a brief article in one of the journals perhaps 10 years ago (sorry to be so vague) (perhaps Bee World, and was there some connection with Japan?). The article described a mutation that resulted in lancets separated from the stylet in worker A. mellifera and rendered the stingers non-functional. The separated lancets impaired rather than enhanced the insertion of the stylet, and prevented delivery of the venom. The normal condition of a stinger is a rigid base (bulb) which is elongated into a stiff shaft or stylet (U shaped in cross section) with the venom sac at the base, plus 2 barbed lancets with a sliding connection to the stylet (at the tips of the U) to form a tube. Imagine 3 parallel fingers So, it's normal for a bee to have 2 lancets, but abnormal for the lancets to be "not connected" to the stylet. The article pointed out (or should have) that although the non-stinging trait might be selected to create a non-stinging bee, such a bee would be at a great disadvantage in trying to protect its nest. Kerry Clark, Apiculture Specialist B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1201 103 Ave Dawson Creek B.C. V1G 4J2 CANADA Tel (250) 784-2231 fax (250) 784-2299 INTERNET [log in to unmask]