Autumn\Winter bees

[peteinwilts]

Hi Guys

are autumn\winter bees different to summer bees??

I am getting rather a lot of small and compact, very black bees that are not as hairy as the normal stripey ones.

winter bees??

thanks
pete

 

[Finman]

.
Your queen have changed. 4-5 weeks ago

OR they are robber bees whose hairs are rubbed away.

 

[peteinwilts]

this is on the small set I moved to another hive in case the new queen does not make it.

as she is such a good layer, i thought i would give her a fighting chance to survive the winter....
Not sure if they are robber bees... I will investigate further on Friday.

Thanks
Pete

 

[Finman]

.
However, winter bees are just same looking as summer bees.
Difference is, are they obliged to feed larvae.

 

[Hawklord]

Is it possible that workers change according to which drone the sperm came from?

 

[Somerford]

the other issue could be varroa - this causes stunted growth in bees. What's your mite drop rate like Pete ?

 

[peteinwilts]

currently apiguarding...