Even though the bees at issue were AHB, the
term "Attack" is a very inappropriate one to
use in regard to bees, moreso for beekeepers
and entomologists.

It's depressing to live in a time when people have
access to so much information for free, but remain
fundamentally ignorant of how even the simplest things
work. Moreso when they accept unquestioningly the
evaluations of others similarly mystified by basic
science  as long as the uninformed "authority" comes
packaged as a authoritative analyst and announcer of
truths, like the news/info-tainment media.

The archives of this mailing list are an example of a
symbolic expert/analyst and announcer of truths as they
apply to bees and beekeeping.  It even presumes to use
the term "informed" to describe itself.

So, let's give the bees some credit and dispel the
myths, shall we?

    "...the children pelted their 500
     pound (227 kg) hive with rocks..."

It should be obvious that the colony lived there
without bothering anyone long enough to build a
seriously large hive, one of unusual size for AHB
to build, and only DEFENDED their hive when kids
started lobbing actual projectiles at the hive.

...and ok, so, their method of "defense", once provoked,
involves stinging any moving target within some number
of hundred yards.  This is "overkill", but is still much
more rational than attacking preemptively or unprovoked,
a practice unique to humans and some apes.

We should not be so judgmental about the AHB colony,
as we humans are clearly no better.

Let he who is without sin throw the first stone,
but only if wearing a very good bee suit, gloves,
and veil!

                jim (Is "colon" the plural
                  of "semi-colon"?)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::