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Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Grandpa Jim on April 02, 2010, 10:18:59 PM

Title: Red Dot on Bees 'Forehead'
Post by: Grandpa Jim on April 02, 2010, 10:18:59 PM
When working my hives this week I noticed many bees with a small red dot right between their eyes on their 'forehead' (if a bee has a forehead).  I don't see them bringing in red pollen, but it looks like it could be pollen.   Are they getting ready to go on the war path or have they taken to a new religion? :-D  Just interested what it could be coming from.
Jim
Title: Re: Red Dot on Bees 'Forehead'
Post by: fish_stix on April 02, 2010, 10:46:29 PM
You know, of course, that it's common practice to mark only the queen! :-D :-D
Title: Re: Red Dot on Bees 'Forehead'
Post by: Kathyp on April 02, 2010, 11:02:12 PM
mites
Title: Re: Red Dot on Bees 'Forehead'
Post by: acidwashed on April 03, 2010, 12:33:34 AM
I noticed this exact thing in my hives today.  I was doing my first full inspection for the season.  I wouldn't say that there was specifically a dot like a mite but more of a dark orange red smudge right between their eyes but on top of their head a little.  They didn't all have it but enough did that I noticed.  There were several bees carrying bright red pollen so I'd guess that's where it came from.  I almost took a picture but decided against getting the camera out. 

Is there a one stop shop for pollen colors and timing?  Maybe a chart floating out there somewhere?
Title: Re: Red Dot on Bees 'Forehead'
Post by: beek4018 on April 03, 2010, 10:16:40 AM
Hindu bees?
Title: Re: Red Dot on Bees 'Forehead'
Post by: AllenF on April 03, 2010, 11:44:16 PM
How about a pic?
Title: Re: Red Dot on Bees 'Forehead'
Post by: Highlandsfreedom on April 03, 2010, 11:54:55 PM
Quote from: fish_stix on April 02, 2010, 10:46:29 PM
You know, of course, that it's common practice to mark only the queen! :-D :-D

Oh sure NOW you tell me you know how long it takes to dot every bee? 
Title: Re: Red Dot on Bees 'Forehead'
Post by: Buz Green on April 04, 2010, 07:51:22 AM
Quote from: beek4018 on April 03, 2010, 10:16:40 AM
Hindu bees?



That would be my guess
Title: Re: Red Dot on Bees 'Forehead'
Post by: RayMarler on April 04, 2010, 04:46:01 PM
There is a time of year in spring when my bees come in with a white stripe instead of red.  It's from a flower that the bees have to get into that snaps back at them and leaves a stripe of pollen on the backs of their heads.  Someone posted here what the flower was, but I forget.  I would say some flower is snapping the backs of the bees  to deposit pollen on their backs when they get the nectar from the flower, giving your bees a red stripe.  I called my white striped bees 'skunk bees' :D
Title: Re: Red Dot on Bees 'Forehead'
Post by: AllenF on April 04, 2010, 05:56:35 PM
Do they make skunky honey?
Title: Re: Red Dot on Bees 'Forehead'
Post by: beee farmer on April 05, 2010, 12:55:52 AM
Humm... Italian Bees, German Bees, Russian Bees now Indian Bees?  see if any of them answer to the name Patel.
Title: Re: Red Dot on Bees 'Forehead'
Post by: Natalie on April 06, 2010, 03:19:37 PM
My guess would have been mites too. I would check much more closely to make sure they aren't having a problem with mites.
Title: Re: Red Dot on Bees 'Forehead'
Post by: Beaver Dam on April 06, 2010, 11:33:52 PM
Indian.
Title: Re: Red Dot on Bees 'Forehead'
Post by: JP on April 07, 2010, 01:49:55 AM
The pollen thing sounds about right. Today I removed a colony that was bringing in purple pollen.


...JP
Title: Re: Red Dot on Bees 'Forehead'
Post by: KD4MOJ on April 07, 2010, 11:49:44 AM
Quote from: Beaver Dam on April 06, 2010, 11:33:52 PM
Indian.
Bad....

Quote from: beee farmer on April 05, 2010, 12:55:52 AM
Humm... Italian Bees, German Bees, Russian Bees now Indian Bees?  see if any of them answer to the name Patel.
Double-Bad

...DOUG
KD4MOJ
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