Jimmy Odom wrote: 
>>>>.  My question:: If a swarm of Afr/bees were to collect in the wheel
well of an airliner bound from central America to the US, could they survive
in the wheel well at 40,000 ft.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Fl rings the state with swarm traps to catch swarms that arrive by boat.
(Guatamala was mentioned). In 2007 or so I arranged to ride shotgun with one
of the state bee inspectors. The story appeared in Am Bee Journal. I learned
that an African swarm is just as gentle as any other bee as long as they had
not had time to build some comb and get some brood started. This could be 2
weeks, but don't rely on it. I'm sure many 'keepers have been surprised when
their free bees "turned mean."  Have you had this happen?   Partly for this
reason Fl strongly discourages the collection of swarms.

As to survival in a wheel well: why not? They would be out of the wind and
when it comes to temperature .they can survive one of Allen's winters. (In
Canada). It's probably only for a few hours, after all.

Dick Marron

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