Robbing Bee's or Not ?

[Edgy]

Is it normal for a hive to have bees with various colors and markings?  Tonight I observed solid black honey bees and bees with just black abdomins coming and going from one of my hives.  The original bees have the typical orange and black stripes.  I have never seen these bees in my hives before.  I haven't seen any fighting at the entrance and they just come and go like they are part of the colony.  This is the weakest of my 6 hives and I haven't seen any of these bees at the other hives.  What do you all think?

[Rmcpb]

It's normal for lots of variation. When a queen mates she mates with many drones and her offspring reflect this with colour variations and behaviour.

Cheers
Rob

[GSF]

ditto what "R" said. and welcome to the forum Rmcpb.

[BeeMaster2]

I consider it a good sign. With the numerous genetics in your hive, the bees can handle all of the different problems we have thrown at them in the last 15 years.
Jim

[Michael Bush]

Robbing bees are usually black because they have all their hair pulled out.  This also makes them shiny.  Robbing contributes to the "shininess" with wax and honey...  Black is also a natural color for honey bees.

[Edgy]

Robbing bees are usually black because they have all their hair pulled out.  This also makes them shiny.  Robbing contributes to the "shininess" with wax and honey...  Black is also a natural color for honey bees.

As a matter of fact they are quite shinny.  Maybe I should close the entrance down to 1 inch to help secure the hive.