Are fighting and grooming obviously different to observe?
I really seen very little fighting this (my first) year.
I feel like I have seen a upswing in the amount of entrance fighting in nearly all my hives. But many of these "fights" it seems like the one bee is either curled up taking a beating or actually submitting. Often this will be on the hive but several inches from the entrance.
Could these bees actually be engaged in normal hive grooming and food sharing rather than fighting? How much of that behavior occurs outside the hive?
Other interactions is it obvious that not everyone is getting along. And I assume some increase in that sort of thing is expected here with winter coming fast.
Robbing was of course my first thought, but nowhere is there continuous fighting and dead/damaged bees of any number.
Look close. What you may be observing is worker bees kicking out drones (time of the season). Although they can be loud complainers, drones do accept their fate much like you described.
Most grooming if not all, takes place 'inside' hive. Fighting/robbing once witnessed is hard to miss (type in robbing in search for videos). You'll see a pile of bees on ground if fighting is going on.
How large are your entrances right now, should be down to a minimum w/ mouse guards in place. Your season should be winding down. Are you ready for wintering your bees? Have you been feeding?
thomas
Bees curled up taking a beating is a sign of aggression whether it be from fighting off robbers or kicking out drones. Grooming behavior is gentle behavior where one submits to the other's gentle grooming.
They are unmistakeable.
As Thomas mentioned check to see if they are kicking out drones and be sure your entrances are reduced.
...JP
Thanks guys,
These are definitely not drones, that happened weeks and weeks ago (except for one oddball hive which was brooding some up just as everybody else booted theirs)
Entrances are pretty well reduced (3/8X4")but it is a warm week (70's) and things get pretty backed up if I push it any further.
There are a fresh few dead bees like 6-10 below the entrance but this is just a bit above norm.
Like I said the fighting is not constant. If I sit by the hive 5 min I might see 2 or 3 obvious tussles and a few of these "other fights"
I have been feeding the last 2 weeks and plan to stop in another few days to give them time to cure and cap, I think they have stocked up pretty well for the winter.
No frost here yet but the goldenrod is pretty much done...really just those purple asters left. The bees have been more prevalent/curious all over the property this week. Not really aggressive, just investigating everything/one. I assume that was just a natural thing as they run out of forage and start looking about more desperately. I figured that was what led to this increase in fighting?
Yes, they rob in weak flows/dearths if the hive is in need of stores.
...JP