Strange Egg Things/Better Pictures

Kathyp · October 22, 2006, 06:29:59 PM

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l32/kathymp123/P1011467.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l32/kathymp123/PA220968.jpg

ok, now maybe someone will recognize these?

thanks!

Michael Bush · October 22, 2006, 07:16:31 PM

I can't tell the exact size, but they look much like bee eggs from the shape and proportion.

Mici · October 22, 2006, 07:24:12 PM

they sure do look like bee eggs. hummm, but why don't you look into a comb, search for 100% bee eggs and compare them.

Kathyp · October 22, 2006, 07:31:48 PM

i think i may have solved they mystery, but a question first.

if they are bee eggs, what does it mean?

my guess: the other day, as i put my syrup on, i spilled some. i washed it down, but for a couple of days, i had both yellow jackets and wasps poking around. i noticed some wasps going under the hive.

might these be wasp eggs? i google imaged wasp eggs and they match.

Jerrymac · October 23, 2006, 12:11:27 AM

Don't think a wasp would lay an egg without building a nest first

Kathyp · October 23, 2006, 11:39:57 AM

i don't know. some of the pictures i saw looked like they'd left eggs on on all kinds of things. the only wasps i know are paper wasps and we have the yellow jacket nests.

mostly i want to know if it's a bad thing if the bees are ejecting eggs from the hive.

Finsky · October 23, 2006, 12:52:11 PM

Quote from: kathyp

mostly i want to know if it's a bad thing if the bees are ejecting eggs from the hive.

As far as I know bees eat unwanted eggs.

.

Mici · October 23, 2006, 01:45:28 PM

hmmm, is there anything else experienced keepeers can add??? if not, the universal answer would be, bees just never stop to amaze :)

my (unexperienced) advise would be to keep an eye of that familly. since you're probably getting ready for winter, there's not much you can do, maybe only to change the queen.

hmm another thought, could it be that the queen layed the eggs, but next day frost came, or something and bees knew they couldn't raise them and threw them out..but again, like mr. Finsky said, they should have eaten them.

ah well, i'm just chatting

Kathyp · October 23, 2006, 04:21:31 PM

it's a mystery. bees seem fine. i was hesitant to open them all the way again. they have glued things together well for the winter and i didn't want to disturb them. from the top, they look fine...if a bit crowded.

Finsky · October 23, 2006, 04:32:12 PM

When I have looked my hives, queen often press eggs from it's abdomen. They will drop where ever.

When I shake the layed frame, many eggs loosen from cell bottom and some fly out.

It it possible from thease reason?

Kathyp · October 23, 2006, 05:07:52 PM

i just checked the bottom board again. it was covered with pollen, wax flakes and probably 200 eggs.

i am at a loss.

Michael Bush · October 23, 2006, 10:14:44 PM

Maybe they are wax moth eggs? I'm with Finsky, the bees usually consume the unwanted bee eggs.

Brian D. Bray · October 25, 2006, 01:21:12 AM

Count that three, I concur that bees will generally consume their own eggs, often during a dearth or drought as a protein source when nectar is nonexistant or scarce. Any eggs lying about the bottom of the hive would most likely be from an outside source such as ants, SHB, wax moth, or other critter.
Take comfort in the fact that the hive is being so hygenic in its behavior, getting rid of unwanted pests.

Kathyp · October 25, 2006, 11:42:15 AM

i could not find pictures of SHB eggs. maybe someone here has some?

yesterday, there were far fewer eggs, less pollen and less wax. perhaps they are done with fall house cleaning and are settling for winter. i should be so industrious! :-)