How to identify when bees bringing in nectar?

misfyredOhio · May 13, 2008, 01:10:26 AM

I spend a lot of time watching my bees. It's easy to see full pollen baskets but do the bees look different when they arrive with lots of nectar. Do they expand or look darker? I think I read somewhere that they look "full," a bit expanded, like they just ate a big meal. Just curious.

Brian D. Bray · May 13, 2008, 06:47:38 PM

There are several types of foragers in any hive; Nectoar foragers, Propolis foragers, Pollen foragers, Water foragers, and scout bees. The scout bees seek out food sources and new homes when swarming. Each bee is dedicated exclusively to its type of foraging. Nectar gathers will come back with abdomen slightly enlarged due to a full honey stomach and can also be covered in nectar, not just in the pollen sacs but all over. This is called double loading and from my observations the bees that do this are the nectar foragers. Others might disagree.

qa33010 · May 15, 2008, 01:37:27 AM

I have never been able to tell the difference unless they land on my hand or finger so I can get a close-up look at them. Otherwise I figure as long as they are coming and going regularily and they seem to go towards the same points on the compass they are bringing in nectar, water, sap... ect.

JP · May 15, 2008, 09:05:26 AM

When a heavy flow is on, the activity is extreme and wonderfully awe inspiring.

...JP

Scadsobees · May 15, 2008, 09:53:29 AM

I've never been able to tell the nectar-gatherers. Although if they come in for a hard landing and don't have pollen, then they probably have nectar.

But in the spring, if you've had enough rain, it is warm and sunny, and there are blooms out, you can assume that they are bringing in lots of nectar if they don't have pollen on their legs.

You can also tell in the supers if they have lots of "water" that shakes out of the cells, it is unripe honey or nectar.

Rick

JP · May 15, 2008, 09:56:00 AM

Rick: "I've never been able to tell the nectar-gatherers. Although if they come in for a hard landing and don't have pollen, then they probably have nectar."

Me: Could also be water.

...JP

Scadsobees · May 15, 2008, 01:54:41 PM

QuoteMe: Could also be water.

Nope. I can tell those ones quite well, they are the ones that are wearing goggles and little flippers.

JP · May 15, 2008, 02:18:26 PM

Quote from: Scadsobees on May 15, 2008, 01:54:41 PM
QuoteMe: Could also be water.

Nope. I can tell those ones quite well, they are the ones that are wearing goggles and little flippers.

:-D :-D :-D Mine have on white shrimping boots. :-D

...JP

a wannabee · May 15, 2008, 10:02:44 PM

I hollowed a bunch of corn kernals and left them by each hive. When the bee is ready to go forage for the day she grabs one and fills it up with nectar, pollen, water etc..., whatever she was instructed to collect before she left the hive, and brings it home. I found that it makes them more productive because of fewer trips throughout the day to and from the hive and their life span increases because there is less mileage and wear and tear on the wings.