Beekeeping

[drumminj]

I need to figure out how to select for dragonfly-resistant bees as well while I'm at it. We have a bunch of them around our pond and garden, and a few that like to hang out by the hives.

This is the first time we've observed a bee getting eaten.

 

[ponytug]

I need to figure out how to select for dragonfly-resistant bees as well while I'm at it. We have a bunch of them around our pond and garden, and a few that like to hang out by the hives.

This is the first time we've observed a bee getting eaten.

View attachment 3581159

How about some purple Martin bird houses or nesting ledges for swallows? What kind of fish do you have in your pond?

All the best,

Peter

 

[drumminj]

How about some purple Martin bird houses or nesting ledges for swallows? What kind of fish do you have in your pond?

All the best,

Peter

Dragonflies eat wasps from what I read, so I'm not sure I want to get rid of them? Always hard to evaluate who's a net positive in the ecosystem!

Just fathead minnows in the pond b/c it's small - about 1/10th acre or so. Could probably support a few bluegill or redear sunfish but I'm happy just to have the minnows in there eating mosquito larvae.

We did throw a grass carp in there last fall to address the excess vegetation. Not seem him in a while so unsure whether he survived winter.

 

[ponytug]

Yes, it is all an ecosystem, isn't it?

Turtles would prey on some of the minnows, but will feed on dragonfly larvae.

Purple martins do feed on wasps as well, although they are said to pick off drones on occasion. They tend to go after higher flying insects, so generally bees aren't a major component of the diet, but if it were me, I wouldn't put the purple martin house close to the hive area.

All the best,

Peter

 

[wmfamily]

I need to figure out how to select for dragonfly-resistant bees as well while I'm at it. We have a bunch of them around our pond and garden, and a few that like to hang out by the hives.

This is the first time we've observed a bee getting eaten.

View attachment 3581159

That is a robber fly, a different insect from a dragonfly.

Asilidae - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[drumminj]

That is a robber fly, a different insect from a dragonfly.

Asilidae - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Thanks for clarifying. My g/f took the photo and I just assumed the wings didn't get captured for some reasons...

But...looks like the robber fly eats bees AND dragonflies?!?! I'm going to have to spend more time insect-watching at the garden this summer for sure.

 

[drumminj]

Yes, it is all an ecosystem, isn't it?

Turtles would prey on some of the minnows, but will feed on dragonfly larvae.

We have box turtles all over the property but I've not seen any water-based turtles. There are several types of frogs and salamanders in there though. And hawks that eat the turtles. And a blue heron that comes by every so often...

Honestly it's fun to observe it all.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Got my last three hives placed tonight.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Moved my last 4 colonies yesterday. Here is one of the swarms. The queen is laying in every open cell. I love the look of new comb.

 

[ponytug]

Gorgeous looking comb!

On the subject of new comb, or rather comb in general, when you decide to harvest honey from a hive, how do you choose the comb(s)? Do you have queen excluders?

All the best,

Peter