Swarm of thousands of bees delays Pittsburgh flight
IMPERIAL, Pa. (AP) - A beekeeper says he had to be called into gather up a swarm of thousands of bees that delayed a Delta Air Lines flight from Pittsburgh International Airport to New York.
Master beekeeper Stephen Repasky tells KDKA-TV he was called out on Wednesday when the bees gathered on the wing of the plan as crews were getting ready to fuel the plane.
Repasky says such swarms form when colonies become too large and the queen leaves half of her bees behind to find a new home. Some swarms can contain 25,000 to 30,000 bees.
Repasky says it's likely there's a wild honeybee colony at the airport somewhere.
The beekeeper was called to remove the insects because they're a protected species that cannot legally be killed.
Master beekeeper Stephen Repasky tells KDKA-TV he was called out on Wednesday when the bees gathered on the wing of the plan as crews were getting ready to fuel the plane.
Repasky says such swarms form when colonies become too large and the queen leaves half of her bees behind to find a new home. Some swarms can contain 25,000 to 30,000 bees.
Repasky says it's likely there's a wild honeybee colony at the airport somewhere.
The beekeeper was called to remove the insects because they're a protected species that cannot legally be killed.
That's it! I've had it with these monkey-fighting bees on this Monday-to-Friday plane!*
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*Yeah, that's the line they use in the edited-for-TV version.
The bees were just trying to worship their god.
Man, had no idea that a beekeeper really could have some real airport beesiness like this. My apologies for the bad pun. ;)
I've seen a lot more bee's this year on flowers compared to the previous. It's a good sign that they are gaining in numbers again. They are extremely important to the health of the planet and us. Bee's are our friends!
 @Maîtresse Pantomime they sure are. If they were to vanish our lives would end pretty quick!