Dive into the Wonders of Natural Comb

Hey Bee Enthusiasts! 🌼 Ever wondered if different bees, in different spots, build different comb wonders? Well, let’s take a peek into the fascinating world of natural comb!

To unravel this mystery, I collected natural comb images from three beekeepers scattered across the country. We measured cells, observed broodnest structures, and compared the data.

Here’s the buzz:

Wyoming Bee Chronicles

-My nifty top bar hive.

A top bar hive is like an empty box with bars where bees craft their comb magic. They build it their way, and here’s what I found:

Speedy Builders

Natural comb sprouts effortlessly. Top bar hive bees kept pace with my conventional hives and their drawn comb frames. It’s like comb creation on steroids!

A top bar hive comb failure? No worries. Bees rebuilt it in three days flat. Foundation? Slowpoke. Conventional hives drew 2 frames; the top bar hive rocked 20. Talk about impressive!

Aesthetic Wonders

Natural comb is a beauty to behold. It’s visually textured and complex, unlike foundation-based combs. Colony development follows the comb’s shape, creating a mesmerizing dance of brood and pollen.

Bee Priorities

Comb building seems chaotic at first, but bees know what’s up. They sense colony needs, match them with strength and environment, and construct a broodnest masterpiece.

Cell Size Dance

-Varied broodnest cell sizes.

Worker comb transitions from larger to smaller cell sizes. No drastic shifts like with reworked foundation. It’s a dance of size variation, with smaller cells at the bottom and larger ones up top.

Curves and Strength

-Curved comb for the win!

Bees build parallel, not necessarily straight, comb. Curved comb is stronger and might even aid in hive ventilation. Talk about architectural brilliance!

Cell Size Measurements

Measured cells, analyzed data, and here are the percentages for each top bar. Drone-sized cells? 18%. Large cells? About 60%. Small cells? Around 22%. Nature’s comb artistry!

Ohio Hive Harmony

-David’s cool Ohio top bar hive.

David’s hive, a straight-combed wonder, echoes the same natural comb vibes. The dance of cell sizes, comb construction—it’s all a symphony of bee brilliance.

Illinois Hive Adventure

-Barry’s unique Illinois top bar hive.

Barry’s hive, with its catenary curve shape, is a beauty. Large volume, wire-reinforced top bars, and a laissez-faire management style—it’s like bees on vacation!

Feral Hive Mystery

-Joe’s intriguing Pennsylvania feral hive.

Joe’s feral hive in a wall adds a new dimension. Though less structured for analysis, it offers a glimpse into nature’s wonders. A hive with secrets!

Measurement Comparison

Final Thoughts

These measurements paint a picture of bee ingenuity. David’s large cell bees built less small cell comb—was it space-related or a preference? Barry’s Lusbees surprised with less small cell comb than expected.

Nature’s comb tales are as varied as the bees themselves! What do you think, fellow bee admirers?🌿

-Keep buzzing, D 🐝🤠