I have somehing that I would like to say. There are two people here in particularly, I have come to know as friends. I dont think either one has any intention here but to help the honeybee and the beekeeper. I realy believe this. One is Mr. Van the other is Mr Claude "TheHoneyPump". One says the hairless bee in the picture is sickly, "IMHO - If they are hairless, they are sick, and they get pinch+tossed from the hive if I see them". But also says that ther are mutation bees.
The other friend says the bee in the picture is not sick but a says its a mutant. One friend, in post #5 reveled He is a retired bacteriologist specializing in genetic engineering. The other friend, has reviled to me a few weeks ago that he comes from a background of 7 generations of commercial beekeeping focused on high honey yields and R&D. Current family operations are roughly 9,000 colonies. And he is also a retired engineer. I am not going to take sides here as I have great respect for both. As a retired bacteriologic prospective as Mr Van and a nature lover he doesnt want to pinch a bee if it is simply a mutant and as a hobbist beekeeper I can and completely understand this. At the same time, I can understand Mr Claudes "opinion" and he had stated,("IMHO - If they are hairless, they are sick, and they get pinch+tossed from the hive if I see them".) His familys livelihood is totally dependant of a the health and survival of the honey bee, unlike myself or Mr. van a hobbist. I can see how Mr Claude would have this opinion. He may not want to take the slightest chance of any kind of disease taking hold and ravaging his familys livelihood.
Now, both have told me personal things of their background and are good humble people, not looking for notarity or fame. But as I have stated, simply want to help the bee and the beekeeper.
I have mentioned to each at one time or another, as a new beekeeper, its can sometimes be diffucult to distinguish what information that is posted on a forum is accurate and what is not. That would be true for any forum or any other discussion on any subjesct I feel sure. I feel that we all here are blessed to have each of these men. Now, Mr Claude I hope you dont mind me telling of your backgroud but Dallasbeek did ask me directly in another post and I figured this was the right time.
Thank each of you for being here and God Bless each of you!!
Sincerely, Phillip Hall "Ben Framed"