On Thu, 9 Jun 2011 14:57:16 +1000, "FarmI" ask@itshall be given
wrote:

Duh!

Here in mainland Australia, we do not have Bumble bees. There are Bumble
bees in Tasmania but no on the mainland - lucky Tasmanians having these
delightful bumble bees!

Anyway, I've been reading a book on beekeeping and it's written by a north
American. I've been finding it hugely irritating to read because the author
writes about 'honey bees' this and 'honey bees' that and 'honey bees' the
other thing..........

Since I KNOW that I'm reading a book about bees, bee keeping, and honey
production for the backyard hive owner, I've been wondering why this person
keeps adding the adjective 'honey'. Duh! One dropped penny...........


Another 'separated by a common language thing'? In the US, Bumble
bees are chubby fellows who are not the thoughtful workers that
Honeybees are. Their nests are seasonal so they don't store honey.

Honeybees are truly social critters who make-- honey.

If you just say 'bees' - you include a bunch of species, most of whom
don't make honey. [Carpenter bees, mason bees, bumble bees are the
most common in my area.]

Jim