Free from our Home and Garden publication: Honey Bee colonies have seen an increase in losses over the past few years. Newspapers, magazines and other periodicals have taken the cry to a crescendo level. To place some perspective to this news, the USDA conducts an annual survey of commercial operation, finding that the number of colonies has not declined.

Free: This story appeared in Columbia Gorge News' June 24 Home and Garden section.

Of late there is a growing conversation concerning Native Bees versus the European Honey Bee. In order to arrive at an appreciation of these two differing segments of the insect world, one must delve into the behavior of each.