One hundred twenty years ago Frank Benton with his business partner D. A
Jones attempted to develop "Apis Americana" by crossing A. melifera cypria
and A dorsota.  For a variety of reasons it was not successful, but from
what I have heard from Australia is seems lucky for the American beekeeper
that it did not happen.

An interesting description of the attempt is at

http://www.entsoc.org/PDF/Pubs/Periodicals/AE/AE-2001/summer/heritage.pdf

Benton is an interesting figure in beekeeping history - the Indiana Jones
of beekeeping.

Larry Krengel
Marengo, IL

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html