I didn't even think hard about this till today, but two days ago when I was about to requeen one of my hives after the first girl didn't make it, I was checking the frames, just to be sure there was no queen around. I was so intent at finding or not finding the big girl, that I wasn't paying the proper attention to the rest of the girls. And now it's on my mind. I requeened the hive, and am not planning on going back in for at least another week (other than topping up the sugar syrup up above).
But what I saw when I went in was this: when I nudged the frames apart, I noticed that there were a bunch of workers kind of hanging on to each other between the frames, and when I pulled the frames it was kind of like a spiderweb or mothy falling apart. I know that's a lousy description, but it's the best I can come up with.
I'd say there were about 50 bees, half on one frame and half on the next, and it was just like pulling a piece of cotton ball apart.
What do you all think? Are they just having a party between the frames, or are they desperately holding on to each other in the hope that I'll disappear and let them alone?
And PS, Love you guys, if I didn't already let you knlw that!