What the dance language does do is raise questions as to not what information it might convey, but where did it 
come from. That is not an easy question to answer, since it gets into the world of consciousness and 
intelligence. Only philosophers feel at all secure in that world since they all can disagree with each other 
since it is only opinion.

There have been several interesting studies involving birds and their "language". At one time it was thought 
that the songs were instinctively hard wired into each species. But now, at least for some birds, it is a 
learning process. The young birds babble just like a human infant with no discernible pattern or transfer of 
information. But they learn from the adults until they master their species songs. No hard wiring and no instinct.

Is the dance language a learned trait? It appears to have been around for a long time as it seems to be in 
different distinct honeybee races. But if it is a learned trait, then why have bees (along with other species) 
stayed in the same rut for literally millions of years with no upward progression? So it must be instinct?

We are at one of those questions that has no answer... at least not today.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

****************************************************
* General Information About BEE-L is available at: *
* http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/default.htm   *
****************************************************