Can you spot the queen? Don't spoil it for others though, please

[Swarm]

Rob Jones showed me a photograph some years ago of a frame of bees and asked how many queens were on it. The first two were easy, the third was harder to spot and the fourth was nigh on impossible, she was backed into a cell.
Best part was they were all laying queens.

 

[Speybee]

This was tricky as I’m afraid I did not spot any queens, in the photos,even with my specs on, it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.
I would have to depend on finding eggs and sealed brood!

 

[Erichalfbee]

This was tricky as I’m afraid I did not spot any queens, in the photos,even with my specs on, it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.
I would have to depend on finding eggs and sealed brood!

Can you see her in the original picture now you’ve looked at Rampino’s photo.

 

[Michael ECB's]

This was tricky as I’m afraid I did not spot any queens, in the photos,even with my specs on, it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.
I would have to depend on finding eggs and sealed brood!

This ones for you Mr Spy Bee... A bit easier to spot - less bees on the frame...
Take a closer look and spot the other creatures that should NOT be there.

 

[Speybee]

This ones for you Mr Spy Bee... A bit easier to spot - less bees on the frame...
Take a closer look and spot the other creatures that should NOT be there.

View attachment 21712

Hello from Mrs Speybee ( don’t be fooled by the large bee suit as it’s a result of too many chocolates and a liking for the honey)
thanks for the challenge.
I think thats her at ****o’clock?....other creatures is that some sort of mite on some bees ( the large dark blob on thorax?)
Or am I having a sugar rush and not seeing straight!

 

[Speybee]

Hello from Mrs Speybee ( don’t be fooled by the large bee suit as it’s a result of too many chocolates and a liking for the honey)
thanks for the challenge.
I think thats her at 4 o’clock?....other creatures is that some sort of mite on some bees ( the large dark blob on thorax?)
Or am I having a sugar rush and not seeing straight!

Or even more rubbish at beekeeping than I thought?

 

[GuyNir]

Hello from Mrs Speybee ( don’t be fooled by the large bee suit as it’s a result of too many chocolates and a liking for the honey)
thanks for the challenge.
I think thats her at ****o’clock?....other creatures is that some sort of mite on some bees ( the large dark blob on thorax?)
Or am I having a sugar rush and not seeing straight!

Profile indicating a Mr...

 

[Speybee]

Profile indicating a Mr...

... will rush off to change it once I can find the correct button.
Thanks from Missus Speybee.

 

[Speybee]

Profile indicating a Mr...

Million dollar question ....have I spotted her and the pesky creatures not supposed to be there?

 

[Speybee]

The wee red ones?

 

[Speybee]

Can you see her in the original picture now you’ve looked at Rampino’s photo.

No embarrassed to admit that I still can’t see her in Rampino’s new photo......must remind myself to go to Specsavers

 

[Michael ECB's]

Million dollar question ....have I spotted her and the pesky creatures not supposed to be there?

Indeed you have Mrs Spy-Bee, My humble apologies Maam... Braula - wingless Fly.

 

[Speybee]

Hangs head in shame.......initially thought it was varroa.....Eeeewwwww
Was so excited to have spotted something alien in the hive....of course it’s not varroa as they are the wee pinprick dots similar to the cappings, scooting around the inspection floor.
So that’s what the Braula looks like in the flesh on such a clear photo!
That’s why I’ve stopped fishing......I get so overexcited at initially having hooked the fish and I just can’t stop myself from reeling it in.

 

[Michael ECB's]

Hangs head in shame.......thought it was varroa.....Eeeewwwww

No need to hang head at all,,,, It's a continuous learning curve... Both you, me and a whole bunch of others thought so at first... My heart dropped when I first noticed it...

 

[Murox]

Hangs head in shame.......initially thought it was varroa.....Eeeewwwww
Was so excited to have spotted something alien in the hive....of course it’s not varroa as they are the wee pinprick dots similar to the cappings, scooting around the inspection floor.
So that’s what the Braula looks like in the flesh on such a clear photo!
That’s why I’ve stopped fishing......I get so overexcited at initially having hooked the fish and I just can’t stop myself from reeling it in.

No shame there. They look rather similar to the naked eye.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Hello from Mrs Speybee ( don’t be fooled by the large bee suit as it’s a result of too many chocolates and a liking for the honey)
thanks for the challenge.
I think thats her at ****o’clock?....other creatures is that some sort of mite on some bees ( the large dark blob on thorax?)
Or am I having a sugar rush and not seeing straight!

It’s not a mite but something we don’t see often in the U.K.

 

[Speybee]

It’s not a mite but something we don’t see often in the U.K.

Ah ha......thinking cap will be dusted off later this evening but at least Im chuffed that I spotted the queen bee.

 

[Speybee]

Is it Tropeaelaps?....Or Braula?......the fact I could see it on the bee leads me to Braula as was originally suggested

 

[Erichalfbee]

Is it Tropeaelaps?....Or Braula?......the fact I could see it on the bee leads me to Braula as was originally suggested

Braula it is. I’ve never seen one on my bees.

 

[Speybee]

Braula it is. I’ve never seen one on my bees.

Thanks for that very entertaining photo.