Pollen Comb
Lexikon
A comb with stored pollen, usually forming a ring around the brood nest.
A comb with stored pollen, usually forming a ring around the brood nest. This arrangement has a reason: the nurse bees find the protein right next to the larvae.
The colourful shades reveal the diversity of the nectar flow, from red yellow for dandelion to blue and violet for phacelia.
Pollen combs are valuable for wintering, because the first brood in February is provisioned from them. Old, mouldy or hardened pollen combs, on the other hand, should be culled.
Sources (4)
- Die Honigmacher (Anfängerschulung): Aufbau eines Bienennestes, Futterkranz aus Pollen- und Honigzellen
- LAVES Institut für Bienenkunde Celle: Pollen, Bienenbrot in Zellen nahe des Brutnestes, Ammenbienen nehmen es aus der Pollenwabe auf
- Kreisimkerverein Höxter: Pollenfarbtabelle (Löwenzahn rotgelb, Phacelia bläulich bis violett)
- Imkerei Goslar am Steinberg: Aufbau des Bienennests, Honig- und Pollenkranz über dem Brutnest