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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: qa33010 on November 29, 2005, 07:14:02 am

Title: Nasanov with a stinger?
Post by: qa33010 on November 29, 2005, 07:14:02 am

I don't know if I'm saying this correctly and I'm not going to wake the wife to get my books, so I'll have to wing it.

       My wife and I were in the back yard looking at what we hope to be a new property line and our blackberry bushes newly planted a couple weeks ago when she asked me about the bees.  I took her over and explained that I was hoping that the top super, which has starter strips melted into the top bars will get drawn out quickly this spring.  When I pulled the top covers and removed three frames to show her the deep brood box we noticed a lot of bees on top of the frames and on the bottom bars of the upper box fanning with their tails up in the air.  I told her they do this a lot and they are exposing their nasanov (?) gland which is right next to their stinger and spreading the scent phermone throughout the hive.  

     What was curious was that they all had their stinger fully extended.  Not just one or two, but the whole lot of them, about fifty or sixty.  Does anyone have any insight?  I have seen a few extend their stinger for a second or two, but not this many and not for the whole time they are fanning.

     If it means anything, our days are high forties to low sixties and nights are high twenties to mid thirties.  

                             Thanks all!
                             David

Title: Nasanov with a stinger?
Post by: Michael Bush on November 29, 2005, 09:28:37 pm

What did it smell like?  If it smelled like lemon, it was Nasonov.  If it smelled like banana it was alarm pheromone.  Since none of them attacked you, I'd say it was Nasonov.

Title: Nasanov with a stinger?
Post by: Shizzell on November 29, 2005, 09:58:44 pm

Well, I don't know if this is going to help you, but this happened to a new hive a couple of years ago. They all had their stingers out correct? I just closed the top and just walked away. Looked back a couple of weeks, and all was good. Also, make sure nothing is bothering them, like enemy bees, etc. That might make them act this way. =\

Hope it helped yah...

Title: Nasanov with a stinger?
Post by: Michael Bush on November 30, 2005, 07:56:13 am

Any hive that's been disturbed will have some bees fanning nasanov.  Some more than others.  Some days more than others, but they always do it.  They have to get inthat position to expose the glands.

Title: Nasanov with a stinger?
Post by: newbee101 on December 03, 2005, 02:03:24 pm

This is what I saw... I noticed if you blow on them a little, this is their reaction

(http://www.acmepainting.com/greeting.jpg)

Title: Nasanov with a stinger?
Post by: Jerrymac on December 03, 2005, 06:28:59 pm

Quote from: newbee101

I noticed if you blow on them a little, this is their reaction

That's all the reaction you get??? If I could be so lucky. A little breath on mine and they let you know they don't like it.