Interesting debris on varroa tray

[Vramin]

Hi Folks.

Just thought I'd share these photos of the debris on a varroa tray 4 days after applying oxalic acid.

I presume that the shiny scales are wax scales that the bees have dropped.

When looking at the pictures in close-up I realised that there are eggs there too, so the bees are clearly trying to raise some brood.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

I've noticed the same and based on taste they're a sugar/oxalic mix.

 

[yellowrage 53]

Hi Folks.

Just thought I'd share these photos of the debris on a varroa tray 4 days after applying oxalic acid.

I presume that the shiny scales are wax scales that the bees have dropped.

When looking at the pictures in close-up I realised that there are eggs there too, so the bees are clearly trying to raise some brood.

ta for pic's that's a bit more knowledge for me

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

And never mind eggs: experienced beeks, aren't those brood cappings?

 

[Michael Palmer]

They're wax scales.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

They're wax scales.

Hey Mike: hope you made out OK with that polar vortex. What about the brown bits?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Hey Mike: hope you made out OK with that polar vortex. What about the brown bits?

Could be - but stores cappings can sometimes look a bit grubby as well.
But what reason could they have for producing wax?

 

[Michael Palmer]

I don't know the reason for their wax scale production. When was their last nectar, or more importantly, when were they last fed syrup?

 

[Michael Palmer]

Hey Mike: hope you made out OK with that polar vortex. What about the brown bits?

Yeah it was cold. We broke -20˚F. Now it's 40 and pouring rain. No bee flight yet since November. More icing and lots of crashes on the highway. Good day to stay home.

I don't know what the brown bits are. A mix I would guess of honey cappings, propolis and whatever. Usual winter debris. I don't see any brood cappings, but focus isn't good. Brood cappings are usually frayed on the edges, and I don't see that.

 

[Vramin]

I don't know the reason for their wax scale production. When was their last nectar, or more importantly, when were they last fed syrup?

Thank you everyone for your replies.

I fed with syrup in October, nothing since.

This colony is in a double-decker nuc (i.e. 2 5-frame nucs). The bees are still in the lower box - I had to remove the top box, which is still full of stores, to apply oxalic acid. This obviously damaged some of the brace-comb between the 2 boxes, so could the bees have been producing wax to repair the damage?

 

[Erichalfbee]

I had to remove the top box, which is still full of stores, to apply oxalic acid. This obviously damaged some of the brace-comb between the 2 boxes, so could the bees have been producing wax to repair the damage?

Or capping brood?

 

[Roola]

I had those on my tray when I was feeding and turned out to be wax. Was chewy, think people told me they were wax scales.

 

[Michael Palmer]

I fed with syrup in October, nothing since.

Still, the scales could have been produces then and took awhile to fall to the hive floor.

 

[MuswellMetro]

Still, the scales could have been produces then and took awhile to fall to the hive floor.

agree, or grooming/cleaning induced by the Oxalic

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

based on taste they're a sugar/oxalic mix.

I had those on my tray when I was feeding and turned out to be wax. Was chewy,

Is it just me or have other members noticed that quite a few people on here seem to enjoy snacking on the detritus found on the inspection board?

 

[pargyle]

Is it just me or have other members noticed that quite a few people on here seem to enjoy snacking on the detritus found on the inspection board?

I was just thinking the same .... Yuk ....got to be better ways of investigating the bee equivalent of a birdcage bottom !!

 

[Swarm]

Is it just me or have other members noticed that quite a few people on here seem to enjoy snacking on the detritus found on the inspection board?

Yup. It's like What the hell is that stuff???!!!? Hmmm I wonder what it tastes like?

 

[Roola]

Yup. It's like What the hell is that stuff???!!!? Hmmm I wonder what it tastes like?

Makes me feel more at one with them...

 

[pargyle]

Makes me feel more at one with them...

If it's on the sticky board even THEY won't eat it ...