<would like to understand why ants would 
leave their nest with eggs to end up on top of a beehive.  Any ant 
experts out there?
>

From your description, you probably have one of the many carpenter ant species.  These ants usually have a main colony in some sort of semi-rotting wood and also several satellite colonies which can me many meters away.  The workers (there are 3 'castes', Major, Intermediate and Minor) will transport pupae (often called "ant eggs") to their warmest satellite colonies to speed development.
 
cheers,
dave...
 
=======================================
Dave Pehling
Interim Webmaster:  WSU Gardening in Western Washington
WSU Extension Snohomish County
600 128th ST SE
Everett, WA.  98208
[log in to unmask]
425-338-2400
http://snohomish.wsu.edu <http://snohomish.wsu.edu/> 
http://gardening.wsu.edu <http://gardening.wsu.edu/> 
=======================================

Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.

 

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at:
http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm