I'm quite familiar with absconding in nucleus colonies. The cluster
leaves with the queen, only a few bees left with lots of healthy brood.
The emerging bees try to repopulate, and usually construct emergency
queen cells....which is a giveaway because swarming would have had swarm
cells present, and a larger population remaining. In an abscond, only
very young, newly emerged bees are in the cavity.
From what you describe, I would say it may have been something other
than absconding...but I'm not familiar with TBHs.
Mike
On 7/16/2012 11:01 AM, Catherine Adamson wrote:
> Can anyone share their experience with absconding of well established
> colonies? What causes do you see most commonly? What does the comb look
> like afterwards?
>
***********************************************
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