Anyone spotted any drones yet?

[kazmcc]

A few people on the facebook group are seeing drones already. What do you think? Is this unusual? I don't have masses of experience but I'd have said this is a bit early.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

Can you hint at a link to this famous group? Sounds fascinating. Anywhere on these Isles, I would hope NOT to see drones just yet, thank you very much. They can arise for more reasons than the colony getting jiggy, obviously.

 

[kazmcc]

It's the *ahem* BBKA facebook group. I have seen the third person, at least, post about finding drones in the last two days. All UK based.

 

[Roola]

spotted a dead one on landing board for one of my hives last week.

 

[thenovice]

I have transparent coverboards and can see the odd drone in there. Not noticed them outside of the hives.

 

[alldigging]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1012709708801347&set=gm.1103243583060462&type=3&theater

There

 

[kazmcc]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1012709708801347&set=gm.1103243583060462&type=3&theater

There

Yes, Caroline was the first one I heard about. This is George

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

Yes, Caroline was the first one I heard about. This is George

Odd name for a drone?

 

[madasafish]

No drones, no brood, no pollen coming in..

We had frost (again) last night and a lovely sunny day. But the only flowers open are snowdrops...No doubt snow over the weekend.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1012709708801347&set=gm.1103243583060462&type=3&theater

There

against my better judgement I followed the link - how excruciatingly cringeworthy the whole thing is. What worries me more is that they seemed to be celebrating the fact they're seeing drones so early on! (albeit it was dead and probably a hanger on from last year)

 

[kazmcc]

Odd name for a drone?

This is a gender neutral drone, he's still finding himself

 

[Finman]

.
Drones this time of year is sign of queenless hive.
.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

This is a gender neutral drone, he's still finding himself

I have difficulty finding myself as well with this cold weather

 

[bontbee]

.
Drones this time of year is sign of queenless hive.
.

Not necessarily. Nor of a DLQ...

 

[foghornleghorn]

A few around when treating with oxalic, have seen them the last few years since starting trickling.

 

[Finman]

Not necessarily. Nor of a DLQ...

Oh dear

But to me it is an alarm bell. I must check, is there a laying Queen inside.

When I change floors after Winter, i look what kind of pupae there are on floor. Drones are not nice to see, but worker pupa is.
.

 

[Finman]

a DLQ...

what is that?

 

[kazmcc]

I have difficulty finding myself as well with this cold weather

I don't think George has any trouble finding himself, by the looks of it he found himself at the point of leaving this mortal coil. I assume that is his "appendage" that is sticking out of his abdomen, or maybe his other hind tibia. I can't quite tell. Despite what the gossip mongerers say, I am not too familiar with the male bee's private bits.............yet.

 

[alldigging]

I don't think George has any trouble finding himself, by the looks of it he found himself at the point of leaving this mortal coil. I assume that is his "appendage" that is sticking out of his abdomen, or maybe his other hind tibia. I can't quite tell. Despite what the gossip mongerers say, I am not too familiar with the male bee's private bits.............yet.

There's a really interesting video.

About 4:31 in unless you want to watch the whole thing. And there's a part 2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DscRpUC1S6I

 

[snelgrove]

I had drones last year in February the landing board dead and also flying, sure enough they were drone layers or queenless , I would be worried if I saw this.