--- Isis Glass <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Quote: What he > said there is no real difference between feral > colonies and colonies in > hives. Reply: I agree that there is no real difference between most wild bees and domestic bees. Except, where traits are allowed to develop to fit specific local conditions in the ferals and bad practices in the domestics. You do not need total isolation in order for good traits to develop. Look at the example of Adrian's bees on the island. Yes, they were isolated and were devastated from varroa due to the lack of diversity and subsequent variation. And if you look at the evidence in the form of success that Kirk, Dee and others are having in finding good genetics in the woodlands would seem to suggest that there is a bigger difference than you and most others might think. Joe Waggle ~ Derry, PA Small Cell Beekeeping ‘Bees Gone Wild Apiaries' http://www.biologicalbeekeeping.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Organicbeekeepers/ __________________________________ Start your day with Yahoo! - Make it your home page! http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---