I have a hive which is in the process of re queening itself through supercedure cells. I noticed yesterday and again today a lot of drones dead and or dying or unable to fly due to broken wings in the grass below the entrance to the hive.
So if the queen has already mated and returned could this be simply the hive getting rid of the surplus drones as they are no longer needed? If not it seems odd that this is happening now as I thought drone expulsion was a fall occurrence?
In preparation to supersede does the colony boost the drone numbers and once mating is complete rid themselves of these extras?
or is there another problem in the hive dynamic I am not aware of?
when the girls kick out drones do they clip their wings so they can not return?
The drones from your hive won't be mating with your queen, so I can't see a reason for the bees increasing the amount of drones for supercedure (but who knows!)
The workers will kick drones out whenever they think they aren't needed, there isn't enough food etc. I've seen bees grabbing them by the wings and pulling them around so that could break their wings. Varroa attacks drones more than workers and can cause deformed wings - could it be that?
I don't think mites is an issue = they all look very clean and the wings are definitely broken not deformed. I can see how dragging them around by the wings will cause the damage that I see, thanks.
I have seen similar posts on line but no real explanation, as long as I am not missing something else, appreciate the input. Hope you had a good 4th !!
I had found this one in with the others in the grass so wondered (due to its entrails hanging out ..) if it was related to a mating flight.[attachment=0][/attachment]
Interesting I have not seen this issue but I have a hive that drones come out of and crash in front of the hive. Then they struggle to right themselves and fly off. It's kind of funny to watch.
After mating and having its gonads ripped off along with entrails, perhaps, I very much doubt a drone could fly back to a hive, and mating areas. May be several miles from the hive. What you see is a mystery to me.
I have seen that as well Eric. It often seems to occur early am when the bees first emerge, almost like they have yet to 'warm up' for the flight (foragers as well) I do not see this during the warmer parts of the day as yet....
Dallasbeek ~ I read an article from a Dave Cushman site http://dave-cushman.net/bee/avm.html refering to AVM (Aviary Vacinity Mating) and wonder if with this unusually warm humid weather if that was perhaps also a possibility?
The more I learn the less I know it seems.
thanks all
Yep, unless it's for the birds.
Ha :cool: