Reply to MRMACOPHYL@aol.com
James Semler (jsemler@iamerica.net)
Sat, 27 Jul 1996 21:16:57 -0600
>as a hymenopterist I for one would not cry a drop for the honeybee. this
>beast has pretty thoroughly depleted our native bee populations by being far
>aggressive at the pollen and nectar sources. the native bees would be just as
>capable of the pollenation of most crop if given a chance and would also be
>less affected by such things as mites and such
>GCS
>
NOT TRUE!! Conservation and preservation are important, but this unrealistic
masochistic ignorance does the cause of conservation and preservation a
great disservice. I, like many reading this, like my apples, peaches, and
almonds. You yourself said that native bees were not as aggressive at
pollination so how can you then say "the native bees would be just as
capable of the pollenation of most crop" This self flagellation of some
people who appear to be apologetic that they were born human makes no sense.
Suppose the beaver decided that building dams was terrible and that beavers
should stop gnawing down trees and starve? Maybe the wolf should turn
vegetarian? I and you are as much a part of nature as the beaver or the bear
or the VTF. Yes let us support preservation and let us support conservation,
but let us do it with the truth and a healthy dose of realism. Please learn
something about bees and beekeeping and the whys of what is done. Take care
of a hive for a couple of years. When you eat an almond consider the cost of
that almond if 90% of the crop were missing because there were no honey bees
or beekeepers. Consider how much more effective you could be as a proponent
of conservation and preservation if you approached the problem with
knowledge and logic.