In a message dated 25/02/2007 18:30:38 GMT Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

the  scientific consensus seems to
be that the dance is one way to communicate  about general
directions, and that odour and sight play a part in  the
final localisation too.



I attended recently a lecture given by Prof Jamie Ellis of the Uni of Fla  on 
the Small Hive Beetle and was impressed at the clubbed antennae which  
contrast in shape with those of the honeybee.  As an antisocial insect that  relies 
presumably on scent alone to locate targets it will need more extravagent  
antennae. Some moths that locate mates by scent at phenomenal distances have  
similarly extravagent antennae.  It would seem reasonable to expect that if  bees 
relied almost wholly on scent to find what they are looking for their  
antennae would be bigger then they are.
 
Chris
   

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