Swarming of Honeybees

Session 5

Swarming is a fundamental part of the natural reproductive life cycle of honeybees. One bee colony reproduces by splitting up in two.

Swarming usually occurs from spring to early summer, i.e. between September and December here in Victoria.

Swarms usually emerge from their colonies on warm, sunny days.

However, a sudden weather change does not interrupt the swarming urge once the process has been instigated by raising successor queens.

Swarms have been seen emerging at temperatures below 8°C; when the time is due for the swarm to emerge, it will, regardless of the weather, even hail and cold winds don't stop it.

A swarm of honeybees consists of a few thousand adult worker bees, a dozen or so drones and usually the old queen.

A swarm does not contain comb, and no brood!

Here some examples:

Bee swarm on maple tree

A small swarm of Honeybees on a Bonsai Maple tree

Bee swarm on letterbox

A small swarm of Honeybees on a letter box

What was on their mind? Fishing?

What was on their mind? Going on a fishing trip?

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