Author Topic: first drone of 2017!  (Read 1041 times)

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Offline neillsayers

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first drone of 2017!
« on: March 20, 2017, 05:39:12 pm »
Was down in the beeyard today and I saw the first drone of the season. All of my bees drones are always solid black or black with a little brown. This fellow was a dandy golden color. I assume he was a visitor. Guess swarm season has begun. :)
Neill Sayers
Herbhome Bees
USDA Zone 7a

Offline riverbee

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Re: first drone of 2017!
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2017, 06:10:22 pm »
"This fellow was a dandy golden color. I assume he was a visitor".

neil, not necessarily a visitor, could be the queen's genetics for shooting out different colored bees. although i keep russians and like you primarily darker, i will also see some golden colors in drones and also female bees.  genetic diversity!
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Offline Nugget Shooter

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Re: first drone of 2017!
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2017, 08:11:03 pm »
Got a swarm call today, but when I got there they had already moved into an abandoned hive under a shed. Owner decided it best to leave them alone and I agreed... Only 4 miles from home so no big deal. Drones here now as well.
Cheers, Bill

Offline Wandering Man

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Re: first drone of 2017!
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2017, 08:46:12 pm »
I was happy to see several drones going in and out of my hives earlier this week.  I've got a virgin queen that should be making hitting all the drone bars and picking up fellas sometime in the next couple of days.

I wonder if she knows what's in store for her?

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Offline neillsayers

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Re: first drone of 2017!
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2017, 11:16:47 pm »
"This fellow was a dandy golden color. I assume he was a visitor".

neil, not necessarily a visitor, could be the queen's genetics for shooting out different colored bees. although i keep russians and like you primarily darker, i will also see some golden colors in drones and also female bees.  genetic diversity!

You are right about that, I see the occasional golden worker-no drones yet but could be. I was just in all my hives and didn't see any drone brood though. Either way  my bait hives are baited and ready for occupancy! :)
Neill Sayers
Herbhome Bees
USDA Zone 7a