bees with white stripes

[russw]

I've just been checking on the bees.
There seems to be quite a number of them coming in and out with white strips on the back of their heads.
I fairly certain that it's pollen.

Can anybody tell me (or have a guess) at what type it is?

 

[eric]

Try here Russ
http://beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=11648

 

[Incatatus]

its himalayan balsam,grows near streams and rivers. its not a native plant and the envoiromentalists hate it as it out competes the natrual plants, but the bees go mad for it.

 

[RosieMc]

its himalayan balsam,grows near streams and rivers. its not a native plant and the envoiromentalists hate it as it out competes the natrual plants, but the bees go mad for it.

 

[Midland Beek]

Yes. Do not phone your regional Bee Inspector and and claim that your bees have some unusual type of fungal disease.

 

[Illo]

Ours are all coming in looking like they've been dredged with flour! Especially this week. Definitely Himalayan balsam. It makes good honey, we're told...

 

[Hombre]

The white stripe is actually a membership badge for a quasi political group.

Known as the "Pernicious Plant Propagation Party"

Quasi means that it's a bit jelly like, just like the main protagonists that seek or hold power.

 

[SixFooter]

Why dont beginners' courses tell new beeks about this.

My main crop is balsam and it tastes fantatsic

 

[enrico]

If conservationists had their way there would be no balsam here. But for beekeepers ... I wish someone would drop a few seeds near my river
E

 

[Midland Beek]

I know the seeds are often spread by water, but I guess wind has a part to play in seed dispersal as well. You get HB in the most unlikely places.

 

[REDWOOD]

Have you ever touched the seed pod of HB ? it explodes and all the seeds shoot out, I tried to collect some last year and the only way of collecting them is to turn the tops over and put them in a cup or crisp packet, I cant for enviromental reasons tell you what I done with them but I think it is a better looking plant than jap knot weed