What is a consequence of a colony absconding?

What is a consequence of a colony absconding?

• A. The colony will thrive with more resources
• B. The hive becomes a total loss
• C. The hive produces more honey
• D. The bees will establish a new hive nearby

Answer: (B)

When a colony absconds, it means the bees leave their hive, often due to unfavorable conditions such as lack of resources, increased disturbances, or disease. This can lead to the hive becoming a total loss because the bees have abandoned their established home along with their stored resources, such as honey and pollen, and any brood (young bees) they might have been nurturing. Absconding typically results in the complete loss of the colony's functionality as a part of the beekeeping operation, making it challenging to recover those bees or their resources. This phenomenon highlights the importance of monitoring colonies for stressors that might prompt such an exit.

When a colony absconds, it means the bees leave their hive, often due to unfavorable conditions such as lack of resources, increased disturbances, or disease. This can lead to the hive becoming a total loss because the bees have abandoned their established home along with their stored resources, such as honey and pollen, and any brood (young bees) they might have been nurturing. Absconding typically results in the complete loss of the colony's functionality as a part of the beekeeping operation, making it challenging to recover those bees or their resources. This phenomenon highlights the importance of monitoring colonies for stressors that might prompt such an exit.