Rosti
Drone Bee
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2009
- Messages
- 1,755
- Reaction score
- 14
- Location
- North Yorks, UK
- Hive Type
- 14x12
- Number of Hives
- 4
By way of explanation I am in Northern Spain on business at the moment.
I am astounded at what I have just witnessed!
On way back to hotel this evening came across some honey bees feeding on a spilt sugar source, of course I stopped for a look. Actually what I saw were bees feeding on sugar, hornets feeding at will on bees. Huge in comparison perhaps 4/5 times the size? Swoopping in, chop off head carry thorax/abdomen away - with ease. The bees seemed oblivious? Impressive but scary efficiency, if it were a hive I suspect the bees wouldn't have stood a chance.
I thought hornets attacked and killed bees to over-run a hive for honey and larvae, apparently not in this case? I hope hornets prosper, but not round my hives. Wow!
I am astounded at what I have just witnessed!
On way back to hotel this evening came across some honey bees feeding on a spilt sugar source, of course I stopped for a look. Actually what I saw were bees feeding on sugar, hornets feeding at will on bees. Huge in comparison perhaps 4/5 times the size? Swoopping in, chop off head carry thorax/abdomen away - with ease. The bees seemed oblivious? Impressive but scary efficiency, if it were a hive I suspect the bees wouldn't have stood a chance.
I thought hornets attacked and killed bees to over-run a hive for honey and larvae, apparently not in this case? I hope hornets prosper, but not round my hives. Wow!