Political Story of the Year

"Mounties chase rebel bees after hive coup":

Mounties in eastern Canada were called in to help round up rogue honeybees after a palace coup this week caused a split in the hive, a spokesperson said on Thursday….

Beekeeper Rodney Dillinger said the colony was likely "stressed" and became dissatisfied with their queen. So, they raised a rival queen and then sent the original queen into exile.

But half of the hive left with the deposed queen to "look for a new home"….

According to reports, the swarm has been mistaken for a bear in a tree and a dark cloud in flight.

Once located, Dillinger said the queen bee would be placed in a bee box to start a new hive, with the swarm expected to follow. "We haven't found them yet. But I know which direction they went," he said.

Submitted for your discussion: Is it appropriate for the Mounties to intervene in bee politics? Do other bugs recognize a right of secession? And when's the last time you mistook anything for a "dark cloud in flight"?