Intruder Alert?????

[Scott Derrick]

Hi Everyone,

First year beekeeper here. I took some photos of a hive inspection yesterday with my brand new digital camera. I was a bit shocked this morning when I was looking at the photos and saw one that had a very odd looking bee in it. The thing is that it stood out like a sore thumb. Now I know what a queen looks like because I have found them in all the hives except this one due to the large amount of bees.

I would appreciate everyone taking a look at the photo and telling me what you think it is. Should I be worried? I am assuming it is a queen but man it sure stands out. I even thought it might be a hornet. I would also appreciate any feedback on how the frame health looks.

It is a bit of a large file so please be patient.

http://www.midstatebeekeepers.com/hive_photos/queen_on_frame.GIF

[Robo]

Looks like a drone to me.

[Scott Derrick]

Robo,

You might be right. I was just alarmed when I first saw the photo cuz that thing just jumped right out at me. It might just be the way the light is reflecting off the back of the bee but it sure looks darker and larger. Looking at the photo locally and zooming it there are other drones but not even close to the size if that thing.

[Michael Bush]

Drones vary greatly in size.  Bees build drone cells all the way from 5.9mm up to 7.2mm or so.  The ones from the large cells look like aliens.  Drones from other hives drift, so this one may very well not be from this hive.