This does X by Y only

[Mayman]

When you say "This does X by Y only" does "only" refer to X or Y or is it depending on the context? Like for example in my bio text book, the sentence that caught my eye is "Honey bee insect reproduces asexually by parthenogenesis only" does this mean that it can only produce asexually? or does it mean that it can reproduce with different ways but when it does it asexually, parthenogenesis is the only method it can do?
And what is the general rule of thumb for it?

 

[teechar]

Hi Mayman, and welcome to the forum.

"Honey bee insect reproduces asexually by parthenogenesis only"

That is not naturally phrased. I am quite certain it was not written by a native or proficient speaker of English. It is also vague, so your question is legitimate.
It should have said something like:
Honey bees reproduce only asexually, by parthenogenesis.

 

[Tarheel]

I would say that when honeybees reproduce asexually they do it by a process known as parthogenesis

 

[Skrej]

When you say "This does X by Y only" does "only" refer to X or Y or is it depending on the context? Like for example in my bio text book, the sentence that caught my eye is "Honey bee insect reproduces asexually by parthenogenesis only" does this mean that it can only produce asexually? or does it mean that it can reproduce with different ways but when it does it asexually, parthenogenesis is the only method it can do? Yes, this. See below.

That is not naturally phrased. I am quite certain it was not written by a native or proficient speaker of English. It is also vague, so your question is legitimate. It should have said something like:
Honey bees reproduce only asexually, by parthenogenesis.

I would interpret teechar's suggestion to mean asexual reproduction by parthenogenesis is bees' only option. However, after a bit of research, it appears that bees (or at least honey bees) can reproduce both sexually and asexually. When they do reproduce asexually, they can only do so by parthenogenesis. Although there are other forms of asexual reproduction, apparently they're not available to bees.

I'd alter the original to something like "Honey bees reproduce asexually by parthenogenesis only", although that doesn't remove the ambiguity.

To be completely clear, you'd need something like "Honey bees can reproduce either sexually or asexually via parthenogenesis."

 

[teechar]

I would interpret teechar's suggestion to mean asexual reproduction by parthenogenesis is bees' only option. However, after a bit of research, it appears that bees (or at least honey bees) can reproduce both sexually and asexually.

Thanks Skrej, and you're right; I was trying to stay as close as possible to the "intended" meaning. Now, I know that honey bees swing both ways!

 

[5jj]

To be completely clear, you'd need something like "Honey bees can reproduce either sexually or asexually via parthenogenesis."

That's still ambiguous. Try "Honey bees can reproduce either asexually via parthenogenesis or sexually."

 

[Tarheel]

According to the tiny amount of research I did they only use the asexual method if, for example,something has happened to the queen. (I don't know exactly how parthenogenesis works. Maybe I'll ask a bee.)