May 22nd of this year, 2019, I observed the bees in one of my swarm traps exhibiting this unusual behavior. The experts don’t have a definitive answer for the behavior. Click on the link.
https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7586
I have seen it 3 or 4 times with my hives over the past 6 years. One common observation on my part is that I see it exclusively in the afternoon on warm days. I really to log the activity to see if there are some commonalities. The washboarding activity really is fascinating to watch. Below is the slomo video I took that afternoon.
Fascinating…..these creatures are so fascinating. I can spend literally hours just watching them come and go.
TTFN
Bishop
Aug 24, 2019 @ 21:07:24
I can see why you’d be fascinated with their behaviors! There’s something quite mesmerizing in this particular movement. If you ever learn more about what precipitates the washboarding, do let us know!
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Oct 24, 2019 @ 12:49:42
Interesting that this is not a common practice but that you were about to capture it.
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