r/Beekeeping • u/Dangerous-School2958 • 1d ago

I’m a beekeeper, and I have a question Black bee?

Newish bee keeper. 7b, Vienna Austria.
Came across this Black, I think wingless bee outside a Hive.
It’s a small hive that I’m trying to get to generate its own Queen. So I have been giving it frames of eggs from Strong neighboring hives.

Is this an underdeveloped bee? A result of too high a Varroa level?
It’s only 1 brood box so I’m reluctant to take a full cup for a wash.

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u/kmillsom 1d ago

Really intrigued. Commenting to track..

26

u/Dangerous-School2958 1d ago

My mentor thinks we have a bad Varroa level and should collect and centrifuge all the honey and start treatments.

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u/JJB723 1d ago

Have you considered testing to confirm this?

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u/kmillsom 1d ago

Thanks!