Urban Bee Swarms: A Natural Phenomenon in Auckland
Bees buzzing around Auckland's Ponsonby Road have caught the attention of many, but Steve Leslie, the coordinator for the Auckland Beekeepers Club, assures us that these swarms are entirely natural, and the bees are not in an angry frenzy. According to Leslie, swarming is a hive's natural way of reproducing, and it's a captivating sight.
Before a swarm departs the hive, they gorge on food, as they don't know when their next meal will come. This full-tummy state renders the bees docile and peaceful. As spring turns into summer, the longer days, warmer temperatures, blooming flowers, and abundant nectar create a perfect environment for bees to thrive. Consequently, the queens in each hive ramp up their egg-laying efforts to produce more bee larvae.
During the warmer months, hives generate new queens, and just before these new queens hatch, the old queen, along with about half of the hive, departs. The swarm takes flight, swirling through the sky in a breathtaking display. The worker bees exit the hive and wait for the queen to emerge. Once she takes flight and lands on a branch or tree, the other bees gather around to form a swarm.
Scout bees then search for a suitable new home, often finding shelter in hollow tree trunks with ample space. However, in urban areas like Auckland, naturally occurring bee homes are scarce, leading to bees taking refuge in unconventional places, such as people's roofs.
Aotearoa boasts 28 native bee species, which are smaller than the introduced honeybees and do not exhibit swarming behavior. In contrast, an average honeybee colony can consist of about 50,000 bees.
To address honeybee swarms in urban areas, the Auckland Beekeepers Club has swarm coordinators who collect these swarms as they appear. They respond to calls from concerned individuals who have a swarm in their garden or on their roof, organizing beekeepers to collect and relocate the bees.
In unfavorable conditions, entire beehives may abscond, completely abandoning the hive. Hives infected with pests like the varroa mite, wax moth, or foulbrood must be destroyed by law, as weakened hives are unable to defend against other pests.
Bees in urban environments are not uncommon in New Zealand. They thrive in the cityscape, and there are beehives even atop Auckland's Town Hall and Aotea Centre. These hives serve as early warning systems for exotic diseases or pests arriving through the port.
The presence of bees in urban areas is not just essential for the ecosystem but also fascinating in their quirks, intelligence, and ability to adapt and survive. Auckland Council supports projects like "For the Love of Bees" to bring pollinators back to the heart of the city. Additionally, beginners can explore Auckland's Natural Bee School, which offers monthly sessions to teach natural beekeeping techniques.
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