Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => General Beekeeping => Topic started by: neillsayers on March 20, 2017, 05:39:12 pm

Title: first drone of 2017!
Post by: neillsayers 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. :)
Title: Re: first drone of 2017!
Post by: riverbee 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!
Title: Re: first drone of 2017!
Post by: Nugget Shooter 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.
Title: Re: first drone of 2017!
Post by: Wandering Man 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?

One day of fun, and then work, work, work! 
Title: Re: first drone of 2017!
Post by: neillsayers 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! :)