>mammals were first domesticated for their milk.

Odd statement--I have yet to see dog (domesticated wolf) milk offered for
sale.

>
> >So he says they aren't really domesticated but then calls them "domestic
> bees". So we wind up with 1) the relationship people have with bees and 2)
> the result of that relationship. We treat them as domesticated livestock,
> feeding them, medicating them, propagating them. In return, they go wild
> (swarm) as they have always done.
>

A number of studies have found that feral populations of bees exist
sympatrically with "domesticated" bees while maintaining genetic integrity.

I'm freshly returned from Southern Calif, where I had the opportunity to
inspect colonies of both "domestic" bees (some of which were of my own
stock) and the local feral bees (partially Africanized).  There was a night
and day difference in their health and in several of their behaviors.  The
feral bees were clearly far better adapted to the local flora, weather
patterns, and the impact of the varroa/virus complex.
--
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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