Bees Sniffing each other on the landing board

[AramF]

I noticed this behavior recently. The bees sit on the board. Then they surround one the of the bees (maybe incoming bee, but I never see pollen on her), maybe 3 around one, and start sniffing it. It amost seems they want to smell her butt the most. THey'll smell top of her throrax, but then get to her butt and smell and scratch away. She on the other hand sort of curls her butt under as if trying to sting the landing board. I don't see any agression or animocity in this interplay and it does not seem like grooming. She is not doing a wiggle dance to lead them to nectar source. What the heck is it?

[alpha6]

Those are dog bees... Actually, those are guard bees doing their job by only allowing bees from their hive into the hive...and the odd stray bee that is carring nector or pollen, those can enter also but no free loaders. You won't see a wiggle dance on the entrace board, these take place on the comb in the hive.

[Batman]

Yep, security doing ID checks of incoming employees.

C2

[AramF]

Thanks. I htought they would do this check on very returning bee, but doing it on select few confused me. Thanks again.

[Corvair68]

It's kind of like airport security, they can't screen everyone. I just hope there is no racial profiling going on. Italian bees picking on a hard working bee just because she looks a bit Carniolan... it just sad!

[Acebird]

I lot of my girls miss the board entirely and fly right into the hive. Then there are those that fly side to side, up and down all around and then finally make it to the board and walk in without being approached by any other bee. Then there are those that look like they are drunk. The crash into the side of the hive, fall on the ground and then a couple of more attempts before they make it in. I don't see too many being turned away.