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Title: Where do bees carry propolis?
Post by: TomP on March 12, 2011, 12:22:17 PM

In the topic "How do the bees remove the pollen from their baskets?" Michael Bush wrote:

QuoteInterestingly a bee can unload their own pollen, but they cannot unload their own propolis. I've seen them spend quite an long time finding someone to unload them when they have a load of propolis.

which got me thinking: "Honey-stomach for nectar, pollen sacs on the legs for pollen, where do they carry the propolis?" I realize I probably have the answer in one of the books in my library, but it is a lot more fun to ask on the forum than to actually go look it up.

Title: Re: Where do bees carry propolis?
Post by: hankdog1 on March 12, 2011, 12:28:39 PM

pollen baskets

but i have a theory that through watching many cartoons they use buckets :-D hehehehe proof that TV rots the mind right there

Title: Re: Where do bees carry propolis?
Post by: Countryboy on March 13, 2011, 12:14:41 AM

I have seen bees scavenge propolis and pack it in their pollen baskets.

They make propolis out of tree sap and other things they collect. I suspect they bring the raw diluted ingredients back to the hive, and process it into the larger quantities we see. It wouldn't surprise me if they carry the low concentrated sap propolis in their stomachs and regurgitate it like nectar. They do use their tongues to paint propolis on stuff.

Title: Re: Where do bees carry propolis?
Post by: TomP on March 13, 2011, 10:06:33 AM

So it sounds like it is both the honey stomach (raw) and the pollen baskets (processed). Makes sense to me- Thanks!

Hankdog1- I do think there must be something about your theory, but I never have been able to find the little buckets. Maybe it's a drone thing, because the cartoons usually have the drones doing the nectar gathering like a good little boy bee.

Title: Re: Where do bees carry propolis?
Post by: Brian D. Bray on March 13, 2011, 09:55:29 PM

Propolis ingredients are carried in the pollen sacs, it will often look reddish or dull brown. Propolis ingredients, some of it being the sap of trees can be sticky so the bee needs help in cleaning his pollen sacs after hauling it.

Title: Re: Where do bees carry propolis?
Post by: deknow on March 13, 2011, 11:22:04 PM

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_t_b6U_NDhMw/TX17V4iVyXI/AAAAAAAADKQ/hvhp1O3-4Lo/s512/IMG_1820.JPG)

Title: Re: Where do bees carry propolis?
Post by: jmblakeney on March 14, 2011, 01:00:04 AM

Awesome picture deknow

Title: Re: Where do bees carry propolis?
Post by: TomP on March 15, 2011, 01:42:46 PM

Thanks for the clarification. Pollen sacs carry the raw ingredients and scavenged propolis as well as pollen. Honey stomachs are for nectar and honey. Deknow, the picture of the pollen sac filled with sap is great!

Title: Re: Where do bees carry propolis?
Post by: luvin honey on March 17, 2011, 10:51:23 PM

Beautiful picture! I can't wait to be watching the girls again :)

Title: Re: Where do bees carry propolis?
Post by: Jim134 on March 17, 2011, 11:49:20 PM

Quote from: TomP on March 15, 2011, 01:42:46 PM
Thanks for the clarification. Pollen sacs carry the raw ingredients and scavenged propolis as well as pollen. Honey stomachs are for nectar and honey. Deknow, the picture of the pollen sac filled with sap is great!

Bee some times carrry water in the honey stomach

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: TomP on March 12, 2011, 12:22:17 PM