Orientation/potty flights

[Charles Roberts]

According to the book "Beekeeping in the USA" published by USDA young bees make their first (of several) orientation flights approximately 3 weeks after they emerge from their cell. Would they not need to have made potty flights before this and therefore would they not need to have made orientation flights for this?

Charles

[Mike Gillmore]

This is an interesting question. No ideas out there?

[George Fergusson]

Good question. I suspect the answer is "no" on the basis that honey bees confined to the hive during winter are able to retain their waste for 6 weeks or more (and I suspect much longer if necessary) before needing to take a potty flight. 3 or so weeks of confinement for newly emerged bees therefore shouldn't be a problem. However, keep in mind that newly emerged bees consume large amounts of pollen whereas wintering bees consume only honey; pollen would necessarily generate more waste than honey. I wouldn't expect young bees to hold it as long as adult over-wintering bees. Still, 3 weeks shouldn't be a stretch.