No one knows why bees chain, also called festooning. The general view is it
is *something* to do with comb building - measuring space? Figuring how
deep they can make a comb for a given width of cavity?
A related theory is that by forming thick ropes of bees they are warmer,
which helps express / mould wax. However, new cells are added at the bottom
edge of a comb, not built in free space, so that doesn't quite make sense!
Torben Fischer, using an endoscope, noticed multiple chains below a wild
nest, between the lower edge of the combs and its entrance. He realised
this could be a way of guarding the entrance, like a spider's web. He
pushed a wasp in, it immediately hit a chain of bees and they mobbed it.
But that would only function as a "web of guards" in a wild nest if the
entrance was *below* the combs, which it often is not.
Another possibility is there is some subtle air-current sensing going on.
"Let's try blocking the air here a bit... yeah that would guide it how we
want it further up the nest... right let's twist the next comb in that
direction."
So my feeling is that it probably performs a number of functions. It may
even be a fun social pastime! Which gang can build the longest chain!
Paul
On Thu, 19 May 2022 at 10:05, Robin Colyer <robin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
I do hope that theory is real. My understanding of it is that the chaining
measures out the curved comb shape. Do we know?
From an engineering perspective I
I’m right in saying it’s all about parabolic catenary curves - I.e. the
shape you get if you hang a chain from two points, which is the best way to
evenly distribute the stress on the joint where comb attaches.
Gaudi famously made arches the same way. Hang a chain, trace the shape and
then invert it.
Robin
On Thu, 19 May 2022 at 08:07, Juli Cohen <juliane.cohen@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Liz,*Robin Colyer* he/him <https://www.mypronouns.org/home>
One of the theories is that they’re measuring the space, which is very
cool, I think 😊
Juli
On 19 May 2022, at 07:56, Barbara Elizabeth Robinson <liz20swan@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
through the viewing panel on third box on my recently swarmed hive.
Morning.
Not sure if chaining is the correct term!
Spurred on by Paul's post about adding a fifth box I had a quick look
The bees are building one comb into the third box so a fourth box is tobe nadired later on today.
There were lots of bees in the third box - many of them in long chainsdropping down from the just visible comb and from the bars.
My question is - why are they doing that?
Thanks in advance...
Liz.
--
Joint Artistic Director
Flintlock Theatre
Find out about classes and courses from Flintlock Education here.
<http://www.flintlocktheatre.com/education>
www.flintlocktheatre.com
01865 807322
Correspondence:
Hollybush House
Station Road
Eynsham
Oxford
OX29 4HX
This e-mail together with any attachments is for the exclusive and
confidential use of the addressee(s) and may contain legally privileged
information. Any other distribution, use or reproduction without
the sender's prior consent is unauthorised and strictly prohibited. If you
have received this email in error, please notify the sender by email
immediately and delete the message from your computer without duplication.
Flintlock Education Ltd. Registered Address 3A Station Road, HP7 0BQ.
Registered in
England & Wales no. 7917219
Flintlock Theatre Registered Address 3A Station Road, HP7 0BQ. Registered in
England & Wales no. 11917051
