Capitol Sting

A group of third-and fourth-graders swarmed through the Vermont statehouse last January and persuaded legislators to designate Apis mellifera (the honeybee) as the state's official insect. Argued one of the young lobbyists: "Bees are industrious, just like us Vermonters." The bill was duly signed into law by Governor Richard A. Snelling.

At noon one day last week, 10,000 bees droned into Montpelier and settled under the eaves near the Governor's office. "It's probably just a delegation to thank Governor Snelling," joked Beekeeper Emile ("Beaver") Couillard, 65, as he climbed a ladder 50 ft. to reach the gathering insects. Couillard, who likes bees as much as any other industrious Vermonter, took the swarm home to his hives, where he expects them to produce about $150 worth of honey this year--enough to take the sting out of his job.

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