Where do bees carry propolis?

[TomP]

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

Interestingly 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.

[hankdog1]

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

[Countryboy]

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.

[TomP]

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.

[Brian D. Bray]

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.

[deknow]

[jmblakeney]

Awesome picture deknow

[TomP]

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!

[luvin honey]

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

[Jim134]

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 :)