I did a search of the BEE-L archives for "washboard movement," but only found one reference to it. (The author suggests that it may be related to a swarming impulse.) I would like to share some observations: Last year I had a hive in which nearly every bee seemed preoccupied with making the washboard motion (head bent down, "pawing" at the board with their front legs, and rocking front to back). It died, with no trace of any bees. This year, I have a direct descendant from the hive which died. It is also heavily preoccupied, as are a number of other hives to varying degrees, all of which have queens which could have mated with drones from the original "washboard" colony. However, if it truly is a genetic defect, then why does it occur only in late summer, and not in the spring? This has led me to speculate that it could be mild poisoning by tansy ragwort or some other plant, or tainted water. Many questions, and I'd love your answers if you have had any experience with this: 1. Is it genetic? 2. If it is genetic, is it a malady, or is it unimportant? 3. Could it, alternatively, be a syptom of a disease, virus, or poisoning? 4. Could it be a hygenic behavior which supresses mites? (I haven't noticed the usual buildup of mites this year.) The last time I treated was in the fall with Apistan. 5. If it is genetic, could it be a regression to a wood chewing behavior of a wasp-like anscestor (the movement looks similar to that of wasps/hornets scraping wood to build their paper nests)? :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::