Magnolia

GSF · June 03, 2014, 10:10:04 PM

I notice this last year when I first got my bees and am noticing it now. I have began to find something that looks like the anther/filament/stamen (small stems from inside the flower) of magnolia blooms in the oil pan. Last year I found them on the land board where they drug them out of the hive.

I've seen them working the magnolia but for the life of me I can't figure out why bring part of the flower back to the hive. Propolis maybe? Any thoughts?

GSF · June 07, 2014, 06:29:21 AM

:?

BeeMaster2 · June 07, 2014, 07:01:46 AM

How do they bring it back? How big is it?
The only time I have ever seen bees carry anything is when they carry bees/larvae out of the hive. I have seen them carry a bee 50' and drop it in my pool.
Is there a Magnolia tree over top of your hive?
Is it possible it is getting into your hives during inspections?
Jim

GSF · June 07, 2014, 07:06:36 PM

My magnolia trees are too far from the hives. The stems are about a half inch long or less. I hadn't been in the hives when I found them. I looked real close and it wasn't SHB larva or any thing.

RHBee · June 07, 2014, 09:26:58 PM

Gary,
Pictures please. I have a magnolia right next door and have never noticed any debris.

AR Beekeeper · June 07, 2014, 09:40:58 PM

I have seen bees carry the small, trumpet shaped flowers of the Purple Dead Nettle back to the hive. I think they do so to give the other workers the scent of the plant.

GSF · June 07, 2014, 10:12:35 PM

Ray,

If you look at a bloom you'll see the stems with maybe a red looking head. It's like the last half inch was cut and brought in. I'll keep my eyes open to see if I see any more in the hives/trays.

GSF · June 10, 2014, 09:58:38 PM

BUSTED! I saw a bee bringing in one of those stems this afternoon. I'm fairly sure it's a stem from a magnolia bloom. I was under the impression that they didn't bring stuff like that into the hive. If it is from a magnolia bloom they would have had to cut it down to size. What I saw was about the length of my bee, what's on the tree is more like an inch and a half to two inches.

BeeMaster2 · June 11, 2014, 12:29:27 AM

Gary,
Any chance of getting some pictures of this. Your report is the only one I have ever heard of a bee bringing in anything other than water, nectar, propolis and pollen.
Jim

GSF · June 11, 2014, 05:38:31 AM

I'm going in that hive in the next day or so. If I see any on the bottom board I'll snap a shot.