For Our Beekeepers

[BigV]

Tracking the ‘Murder Hornet’: A Deadly Pest Has Reached North America

With queens that can grow to two inches long, Asian giant hornets can use mandibles shaped like spiked shark fins to wipe out a honeybee hive in a matter of hours, decapitating the bees and flying away with the thoraxes to feed their young. For larger targets, the hornet’s potent venom and stinger — long enough to puncture a beekeeping suit — make for an excruciating combination that victims have likened to hot metal driving into their skin.

In Japan, the hornets kill up to 50 people a year. Now, for the first time, they have arrived in the United States.

We're gonna need a bigger boat....

[Griff]

I did a hive inspection today. Lots of brood, wax being drawn, and honey being collected. They were super calm, very industrious, and no aggression at all.

[xoxoxoBruce]

When the combs are vertical how to they fill them with honey and seal it before the honey leaks out?

[Griff]

That's a good question... surface tension?

[xoxoxoBruce]

The row of cells in the left picture looks like they were filled and sealed on a slant.
Maybe when they spit the honey out it isn't liquid yet, more like the center in a chocolate covered cherry, then
after it's sealed up the chemistry makes it liquid.
The right hand picture shows cells not full but apparently not leaking... of course they wouldn't in this position.

I'm curious about the one that's sealed with a little hole in the middle.
Maybe like a water fountain or snack bar to give the girls energy

[Griff]

You're looking at a brood frame, a mix of open larvae and capped larvae. I didn't photograph any of the capped honey frames. The frame they're drawing wax on will be a honey frame.

[xoxoxoBruce]

OK, those two frames are brood frames, then they seal the eggs in the cells until they grow up?