Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: backyard warrior on September 26, 2010, 10:34:43 AM

Title: Question for the experts
Post by: backyard warrior on September 26, 2010, 10:34:43 AM
When the bees beard on the front of the hives i noticed they dont just sit there.  Their wings arent moving either but they are indeed rocking back and forth does anyone know why bees rock back and forth without moving their legs????
Title: Re: Question for the experts
Post by: bassman1977 on September 26, 2010, 01:29:44 PM
It's called washboarding.  I don't think anyone knows for sure why they do it.  Probably some sort of communication.
Title: Re: Question for the experts
Post by: Shawn on September 26, 2010, 02:47:06 PM
Some one just posted a video of that but I cant remember who.
Title: Re: Question for the experts
Post by: AllenF on September 26, 2010, 03:06:40 PM
Here is the video
http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,29642.0.html (http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,29642.0.html)
Title: Re: Question for the experts
Post by: backyard warrior on September 26, 2010, 05:11:15 PM
Thanks alot everyone that is indeed what they are doing i thought maybe someone would know why but i guess its a mystery!!
Title: Re: Question for the experts
Post by: caticind on September 26, 2010, 07:02:11 PM
One theory is that they are scenting the entrance, sort of a homing beacon for incoming bees.  If you look at a washboarding bee really closely, you'll see that often they have got their tongues out and are licking the surface.