Gauthier Buddy J wrote:
>
>  Ana Merlo, a beekeeper in Brazil said it also could have been 2
> other things; Eucalyptus or Sugar Cane. I'm not familiar with eucalyptus at
> all, so I can not comment.
>
G'day Buddy,
The dark colour of the comb had nothing to do with the bees being on
eucalyptus.  Most Australian bees spend most of their time on eucalypts
(there are about 500 varieties) and while the honey and wax vary in
colour I have never heard of dark brown.  I agree with Kathy (?), those
little bees left their blankets behind!
A little more on eucalypt honeys for those interested. We have our bees
permanently in an area where, over a two year period they gather pollen
and honey from about six varieties of eucalypts.  The resultant honey
varies in colour from pale gold when the yellow box flow is on, through
to dark reddish ironbark.  Some, like grey box crystalise easily while
others never do.  Because we do not move our hives, we tend to get mixed
varieties.
The colour of the wax too varies considerably.  Last year we had a very
heavy flow of grey box, capped in almost pure white.  I am particularly
careful when cleaning the uncappings from yellow box as the wax is
brilliant yellow, almost the colour of a free range egg yolk.  This
makes wonderful candles,
 
Anne Brown
Browns Busy Bees
'Snake Hill', Victoria, Australia