Propolis

[Bettenham]

Realised I don't know how the bees collect propolis?
I saw some really oily looking propolis coloured pollen baskets on some bees today during inspections and wondered!

 

[Sutty]

Realised I don't know how the bees collect propolis?
I saw some really oily looking propolis coloured pollen baskets on some bees today during inspections and wondered!

They scrape it with their mandibles and transfer it to the corbicula.
If you leave propolis covered equipment some metres from the hives you can often see bees recycling it!

 

[Bettenham]

They scrape it with their mandibles and transfer it to the corbicula.
If you leave propolis covered equipment some metres from the hives you can often see bees recycling it!

Thank you - that made me look up corbicula as well! Every day is a learning day.

 

[Sutty]

Thank you - that made me look up corbicula as well! Every day is a learning day.

With bees I doubt the learning ever stops!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Realised I don't know how the bees collect propolis?
I saw some really oily looking propolis coloured pollen baskets on some bees today during inspections and wondered!