Author Topic: Sweet Glowy Red Honeybee In My Hives (Read 8101 times)

Jen · « **on:** July 21, 2014, 12:47:52 am »

Here is another shot of the red bee that is in my hives now. They're so pretty amongst the others, standing out like tiny light bulbs.

apisbees · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2014, 12:55:27 am »

So you have one hive that has bees with very little black in one hive and in another some bees that are mainly black. Which hives are they from swarmy bees or bought queens? Got to love the beauty and diversity that nature send to us to enjoy.

Jen · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2014, 01:58:26 am »

Never saw these lovely red bees until the new queens came ~

lazy shooter · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2014, 07:58:59 am »

Jen:

That's not a bee. That's a suped up, mutated lady bug.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2014, 09:29:21 am »

Yup, someone spilled their steroids....

Almost as if there is no pigmentation in the top part of the abdomen... pretty cool looking bee!!

Beeboy · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2014, 09:33:12 am »

Very neat, Jen.

riverbee · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2014, 04:25:58 pm »

wow, how cool is that?! what apis said!

"Got to love the beauty and diversity that nature send to us to enjoy."

pistolpete · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2014, 08:34:53 pm »

I don't want to spoil the wonder, but are you sure it's not red food colouring from humming bird feeders? I seem to recall you had some red honey as well. Tropical fish are often similarly enhanced by feeding them red food colouring. I'd be taking a drive around the neighbourhood and looking for the culprit. Inform the bird lovers that clear sugar syrup is much better for the little birds than the red stuff sold at wally world anyway.

Jen · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2014, 08:52:14 pm »

Hi Pete, well here's the thing, these pretty red bees are the definate minority in the hives. And now that all 4 of my hives have ruby honey, wouldn't many more of the bees have turn this color?

As far as the ruby hummer honey, I live in town amongst hundreds of houses, how am I going to track down all the feeders with wally world feed in them... AND wally world is our only big store?

What I WANT to do is go up against Walmart and get them to stop making that stuff and selling it.

I Really Don't Know What To Do About This! except move my hives out of town

riverbee · « **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2014, 09:59:10 pm »

i wouldn't worry about it jen......

apisbees · « **Reply #10 on:** August 11, 2014, 10:54:50 pm »

As river said. If a good flow comes along the bees will ignore this cheap feed. if there is no flow on look at it a fee feed and something to keep the bees busy.

riverbee · « **Reply #11 on:** August 11, 2014, 11:00:47 pm »

apis.....too funny! it is free feed!.....less she has to feed them.......

pistolpete · « **Reply #12 on:** August 12, 2014, 12:42:05 am »

I'd say that only the bees foraging at feeders would turn red, they'd make up a small minority in your hive. I could be wrong, perhaps there is a red bee strain out there, but the timing is suspicious. Seems to me that the red bees showed up at the same time as your red honey and the summer drought.

Jen · « **Reply #13 on:** August 12, 2014, 12:45:47 am »

Interesting concept Pete, I do remember Apis (I think it was Apis) said that he had experienced those same red bees at one point in his bee career ~

apisbees · « **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2014, 10:36:50 am »

Yes and once a few Albino Italian Better known as white eyed drones

Quote

http://www.glenn-apiaries.com/oddball.html

Barbarian · « **Reply #15 on:** August 12, 2014, 11:08:40 am »

Jen has a problem. Opinion is that the culprit is the dyed syrup in hummingbird feeders.

May I suggest a couple of paths of action ? In an urban area, a letter to the local paper would highlight the problem. Readers without feeders would make comments to their friends with feeders. I would withhold my name or address on such a letter. I would not want to get the reputation as the "beekeeper with the contaminated honey".

The other track would be a complaint to the head office of the retailer. More and more companies are trying to project an environmentally friendly image. It could work.

The photo of your red bee could be worth a 1000 words when included in such letters.

Jen · « **Reply #16 on:** August 12, 2014, 11:58:26 am »

Apis- "Yes and once a few Albino Italian Better known as white eyed drones

That would be fascinating to see.

What are your thoughts on the hummer food turning the bees red?

Jen · « **Reply #17 on:** August 12, 2014, 12:06:51 pm »

Hi Barbarian

I like your suggestions! and have been considering such actions. The retailer would be Walmart who sells dyed hummer food by the gallon. Walmart here in the US is a mega store chain selling household items, garden, pharmacy, and food. It's the only store of it's kind in our town and county other than JC Penney's (clothes), and Raleys (groceries). I guess I'll start there and ask to speak to the manager. Something must be done, there are many backyard beekeepers in our area.

Appreciate your input Barbarian

riverbee · « **Reply #18 on:** August 12, 2014, 12:39:42 pm »

just a comment for thought here on the humming bird feeders......
we all know the reason the bees are on them is because of the dearth, you can't stop bees from collecting whatever is available. what is the difference of bees visiting a hummer feeder that has been prepared with sugar and water (no coloring) and the colored stuff? they will still bring back either to the hive. the colored stuff tells you that's what they are doing.

Jen · « **Reply #19 on:** August 12, 2014, 12:48:02 pm »

Agreed

I don't mind the bees helping themselves to hummer food, just have a problem with the red dye. Feels like they will be dining on junk food all winter grrrrr