Next to humans, Honey Bees have the most complex social structure on earth (we're not hazarding a guess beyond earth, just yet). That partially explains why scientists are wetting themselves with excitement. They've just announced that they've mapped the genome for the Honey Bee. They're also pretty excited because apparently, all of us crazy kids who like to eat to survive, depend on those busy little pollinating buggers for food.
The Bees are giving out mixed reactions to this news. They're pretty happy about the attention, because life's been a little tricky for them lately - what with all those houses instead of wildflowers and chemical sprays that like to kill weeds and them - but, they've been known to call us humans, "Tricky Little Bastards." They aren't so crazy with us messing with their genes, just so we can continue to eat, and kill the earth at the same time.
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This is helpful information for me-- we just built a timberframe house on top of a hill (over an orange grove) and have had 3 or 4 hive infestations since last March. I wouldn't mind so much, except for the fact that once they start making large amounts of honey, it can deteriorate the building and also attract other creatures... so, I try to think loving thoughts towards them, remember that we chose to build in the ideal place for a hive to form, and not to get upset. I will remember what you said the next time I see a swarm a-comin'.
I'm a fan of honey. Bees I simply view as a necessary evil, although they did provide the inspiration for Fiancé and I's plan to dress any future children we may have in bee costumes on a daily basis well into their high school years. We are envisioning a formal bee tux for prom.
christy - an orange grove? oh wow. i assume than that you, unlike me, are not looking out, over a thick covering of snow already?
maybe you should take up bee keeping. i would love to try that. lots of good novels about bees have got me all gooey on bees.
oh bear,
hope for a girl. just imagine the fluffy yellow and stripey vision of loveliness at prom time. plus, she would wear a crown and everyone would have to call her, "queen bee". she could refer to all the males as "drones", and demand they feed her lucious foods.
Yeah, we live in Southern California, so we do not understand snow. It hailed here last spring and it looked like it had snowed for about 48 hours, but that is the first time since 1968 that it has even come close to snow. Seems like we have two seasons-- summer and spring. And our neighbor came over yesterday (he keeps bee boxes) to tell us that one of his hives had Africanized and is now out of control, so that was a bit scary, with the knowledge that our three little boys roam free around here. So, I'm not sure about the bees, but definitely like the bee costume idea. My eldest has yet to get out of his cowboy phase-- I think a cowboy bee could be dashing.
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