Clusters of bees

[Catherine]

I have just seen small groups of bees, I reckon 20, my husband 50, on the floor immediatley outside the hive entrance, where there are some freshly cut nettles. In each cluster there appears to be 1 larger and different type bee than mine.

Could this be a robbing attack that my bees are defending against? I don't know how long they have been there.

 

[grizzly]

When the bees are fighting it is obvious to the eye, you would know straight away.

Are there bees shooting in and out of the hive ? any scrapping on the alighting board (if you have one) if you dont it might explain why they are dropping to the floor trying to sting each other.

Can you see what they are doing ? whats this "larger different type"

 

[Catherine]

thansk for your response. the alighting board is quite large and i've seen my bees defending on it before, but that was just 1 wasp, so maybe a larger scale attack. All is calm now so hopefully no harm done.

thanks