Deep(er) sound in hive

[TryingToLetThemBee]

I have a Demareed hive with a top entrance for drones. I often hear a noise that is much deeper than a Q piping, but otherwise sort of like it. Do trapped drones buzz? I can't find any similar noise on Youtube.

I have tried recording but to no avail. Working theory is that it is drones that think they are trapped but I want to rule out a Q. I don't think I've missed an EQC but it is quite possible.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Could be a virgin in there - heard what I think you are describing a few times when checking hives with newly emerged queens.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

Could be a virgin in there - heard what I think you are describing a few times when checking hives with newly emerged queens.

Thanks JBM: guess I have a QC / VQ hunt on my hands. Fun! I may just slip an extra QE in there as a precaution.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

That's the reason I use my Demarree board

 

[Brigsy]

I've just heard this low version of piping. I shall link a recording later. Going to have a rummage and see what I find. I've heard piping a few times and this was longer and lower.

 

[Brigsy]

So, both colonies had something producing these sounds today. Much lower in pitch than piping that I've heard. And more sustained note.

One hive had just sealed queen cells but mostly open as this was a weekly inspection. The other had none. Both queens I believe were producing this noise. Very loud, audible away from a closed hive.

https://soundcloud.com/user-866463088/sound-from-hive-with-queen-cells-just-sealed-or-open

https://soundcloud.com/user-866463088/no-queen-cells-but-similar-sound

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

So, both colonies had something producing these sounds today. Much lower in pitch than piping that I've heard. And more sustained note.

One hive had just sealed queen cells but mostly open as this was a weekly inspection. The other had none. Both queens I believe were producing this noise. Very loud, audible away from a closed hive.

https://soundcloud.com/user-866463088/sound-from-hive-with-queen-cells-just-sealed-or-open

https://soundcloud.com/user-866463088/no-queen-cells-but-similar-sound

That sounds like piping to me. I think mine are drones; nothing untoward in upper Demaree box.

 

[Brigsy]

Hmmm, piping I've heard has always been a couple of octaves higher.

Plus, no queen cells in one, just a singular mated queen...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1w9I2QVkvA for example

 

[beeno]

Hmmm, piping I've heard has always been a couple of octaves higher.

Plus, no queen cells in one, just a singular mated queen...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1w9I2QVkvA for example

Yep that is piping.

 

[Brigsy]

I suppose I should rephrase. Using my musicians ear these deeper sounds are not the same tone as they piping you hear from multiple queens in a colony seeking each other out.

This is indeed a queen piping but for what purpose, with a different call. Maybe a tallyho to swarm? Has anyone researched the calls of the queen or catalogued them?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Workers also pipe - usually just prior to swarming or moving from a bivouac

 

[Brigsy]

Didn't know that thanks.