[poulsbohemian]

As a fellow beekeeper, I like the cut of your jib - seems like you've done some interesting thinking on this point and it certainly seems like an idea that could merit further research. That said, my personal answer to this is in line with what the author concludes is a possible answer: "Perhaps because they're disposable parts of a larger super-organism which has evolved by multi-level selection" IE: basically everything the hive does, the hive does together and individual bee matter very little. In fact, upon reflection it might make sense to view an individual bee as more akin to a cell in mammals as opposed to an individual organism, IE: cells can die or be regenerated, but the overall body continues. Given that bee lifespans are measured in weeks, even a bee that does not sacrifice itself stinging in defense of the hive will have a very short existence - and be replaced by thousands of others in short order if the queen is healthy.