Red Dot on Bees 'Forehead'

[Grandpa Jim]

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

[fish_stix]

You know, of course, that it's common practice to mark only the queen! :-D :-D

[Kathyp]

mites

[acidwashed]

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?

[beek4018]

Hindu bees?

[AllenF]

How about a pic?

[Highlandsfreedom]

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? 

[Buz Green]

Hindu bees?

That would be my guess

[RayMarler]

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

[AllenF]

Do they make skunky honey?

[beee farmer]

Humm... Italian Bees, German Bees, Russian Bees now Indian Bees?  see if any of them answer to the name Patel.

[Natalie]

My guess would have been mites too. I would check much more closely to make sure they aren't having a problem with mites.

[Beaver Dam]

Indian.

[JP]

The pollen thing sounds about right. Today I removed a colony that was bringing in purple pollen.


...JP

[KD4MOJ]

Indian.

Bad....

Humm... Italian Bees, German Bees, Russian Bees now Indian Bees?  see if any of them answer to the name Patel.

Double-Bad

...DOUG
KD4MOJ