Question about a mating flight.

Understudy · March 11, 2007, 07:34:01 PM

I received a call from one of our members who has three hives. Something eventful happened with each hive.
Hive #1 had a huge wax moth infestation. I will post pics later.
Hive #2 had a robbery attempt there were fresh dead bees on the ground in front of the hive.
Hive #3 may have had a virgin queen go on a mating flight. Here is what I wanted to know. if these signs were correct.
1. Shortly after noon today according to her. Thousands of bees filled the air. They flew all around the yard a little out of it and then would fly back to the yard.. Then back out of the yard. After a while everyone returned to the hive. Well almost everyone. The ground around the hive had lots od drones in the grass. The drones were slow and wouldn't fly. It seemed like a few of them were pooping constantly. So I have my suspicisions that a mating flight took place. Am I correct? Also if so how soon before half the population takes off?

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Jerrymac · March 11, 2007, 07:53:49 PM

If you are asking about the hive being about to swarm, doesn't the swarm leave before the new queen hatches and mates?

Michael Bush · March 11, 2007, 08:10:24 PM

>Am I correct?

Maybe. I haven't seen THAT many go with the queen, but I've seen some go off for a ways and then come back. They also might have been attempting to swarm but the reigning queen can't fly.

> Also if so how soon before half the population takes off?

If that was the mating flight of a swarm queen, they already did.

Understudy · March 11, 2007, 08:50:59 PM

Were all the drones on the ground a possible indicator?

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Michael Bush · March 11, 2007, 09:26:43 PM

>Were all the drones on the ground a possible indicator?

I've never noticed anything about the drones.

Understudy · March 11, 2007, 09:46:51 PM

Quote from: Michael Bush on March 11, 2007, 09:26:43 PM
>Were all the drones on the ground a possible indicator?

I've never noticed anything about the drones.

Well if it was a mating flight and those were the drones that mated and were in their final breaths it would seem logical.

I would like to see another mating flight to confirm.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Michael Bush · March 11, 2007, 10:58:57 PM

>Well if it was a mating flight and those were the drones that mated and were in their final breaths it would seem logical.

Since I would expect the DCA to be some distance and since they seldom live long after mating, I would not expect them to be able to get back to the hive. Maybe they were tired from the chase?

Kathyp · March 11, 2007, 11:01:26 PM

what would one expect to see if observing a mating flight?

Understudy · March 11, 2007, 11:37:15 PM

Thousands of bees flying in the air in a loose pattern unlike when a swarm flies. They can't protect the queen like they do in a swarm as they need her to mate. So she can lay eggs. Lots of big fat drones looking to serve their purpose.

Sincerely,
Brendhan