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Washboarding: Are Man-Managed Honeybees Performing a Vestigial Activity Fostered by Cryptogams? Cover

Washboarding: Are Man-Managed Honeybees Performing a Vestigial Activity Fostered by Cryptogams?

Open Access
|Dec 2022

Figures & Tables

Fig. 1

Observations and experiments on hives: a) visual inspection of hive surfaces; b–c) lichen transplants composed of bark stripes glued on satin ribbons. b) D-type sample, collected in Portugal in 2018 and c) A-type sample, collected in Italy in 2019; d) placement of transplants. Photo record: Davide Romani.
Observations and experiments on hives: a) visual inspection of hive surfaces; b–c) lichen transplants composed of bark stripes glued on satin ribbons. b) D-type sample, collected in Portugal in 2018 and c) A-type sample, collected in Italy in 2019; d) placement of transplants. Photo record: Davide Romani.

Fig. 2

Beekeepers responding to a questionnaire indicate the frequency of their observations of washboarding. On the right, details on the number of times that each respondent observed the washboarding behaviour.
Beekeepers responding to a questionnaire indicate the frequency of their observations of washboarding. On the right, details on the number of times that each respondent observed the washboarding behaviour.

Fig. 3

Relative importance of possible explanations of washboarding, expressed as posts related to YouTube videos. They are grouped based on main themes.
Relative importance of possible explanations of washboarding, expressed as posts related to YouTube videos. They are grouped based on main themes.

Fig. 4

Bee responses to lichen stripes transplant: a) washboarding behaviour; b) lichen stripe sample conditions before placing; c) same sample as in b), after two months of exposure in front of the hive: evidence of lichen removal; d–f) decoloration of those lichens present on the bark slice after two months of exposure.
Bee responses to lichen stripes transplant: a) washboarding behaviour; b) lichen stripe sample conditions before placing; c) same sample as in b), after two months of exposure in front of the hive: evidence of lichen removal; d–f) decoloration of those lichens present on the bark slice after two months of exposure.

Fig. S1

Study area, where apiaries under experimental manipulation were placed, 45°13′59.96″N; 11°27′56.8″E, north-east of Italy.Maps credits: northern Italy at https://d-maps.com/carte.php?num_car=5880&lang=it;detail of the study area at https://www.google.it/maps (Immagini ©2022, TerraMetrics, Dati cartografici ©2022 Google)
Study area, where apiaries under experimental manipulation were placed, 45°13′59.96″N; 11°27′56.8″E, north-east of Italy.Maps credits: northern Italy at https://d-maps.com/carte.php?num_car=5880&lang=it;detail of the study area at https://www.google.it/maps (Immagini ©2022, TerraMetrics, Dati cartografici ©2022 Google)

Website list

WebsiteBrief summary of contentOpinion/info
1https://beekeep.info/a-treatise-on-modern-honey-bee-management/the-basis-for-management/mysterious-behaviors-of-honey-bees/washboard-behavior/Last accessed: 18 Jan. 2021Site dedicated to informing beekeepersmanaged by The Apis Information Resource Center, developed by Dr. Malcolm T. Sanford, Professor Emeritus, University of Floridaintriguing behaviour;presentation of results of Bohrer, K., & Pettis, J.S.;hosting 2 videos and a link too a google page listing results for washboarding behaviour
2https://honeybeesuite.com/washboarding-bees-arockin-and-alickin/Last accessed: 18 Jan. 2021Site dedicated to informing beekeepers and peoplemanaged by Sam Droege, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research CenterBrief description in the blog, reporting results ofBohrer, K., & PettisJ.S.;hosting 1 video22 replying posts
3https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7586Last accessed: 18 Jan. 2021Informative site of theAgriculture and Natural Resources, University of CaliforniaBlog-Article by Kathy Keatley Garvey.It would be interesting to find out;14 replying posts
4https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=33125Lastaccessed: 18 Jan. 2021UK Beekeeping Forum.Various posts.reporting info of Bohrer, K.,& Pettis, J.S.;10 replying posts
5https://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?230659-WashboardingLastaccessed: 18 Jan. 2021Forum community dedicated to beekeeping, bee owners and enthusiasts.6 discussions following a starter post.reporting info of Bohrer, K., & Pettis, J.S.;70 replying posts
6http://iussi.confex.com/iussi/2006/techprogram/P2650.HTMLastaccessed: 18 Jan. 2021From the program of an International Conference (IUSSI 2006).Poster presentation related to washboarding behaviour by Bohrer, K., & Pettis, J.S.The function of this behaviour remains to be elucidated, after experimental observations of worker age and surface texture.
7http://www.myrmecos.net/2010/08/19/washboarding-bees/Lastaccessed: 18 Jan. 2021Informative website by Alex Wild.Posted video.Description, no hypotheses;13 replying posts
8https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/theories-on-washboarding/9718Lastaccessed: 18 Jan. 2021Informative website by a private company.Posts following introduction of topic: Theories on WashboardingDescription, + hypotheses;20 replying posts1 video
9http://www.keltronixinc.com/washboarding-bees/Lastaccessed: 18 Jan. 2021Informative website by a private company.Posts following introduction of topic: Washboarding BeesDescription, + videos, + hypotheses;
10http://www.beeculture.com/ask-phil-november-2014/Lastaccessed: 18 Jan. 2021Bee Culture The Magazine of American Beekeeping.Article/post by Phil Craft, November 1, 2014Responding to post
11https://forum.canberrabees.com/t/bees-washboarding/200/2Lastaccessed: 18 Jan. 2021Site dedicated to informing beekeepersPosts following introduction of topic: Bees washboardingDescription, + videos;2 replying posts

Hypotheses on reasons behind washboarding behaviour, based on scientific reports in the literature

Available hypotheses explaining washboarding, found in the literature at the end of the 19th-beginning of the 20th century, as cited in Alfonsus (1932)

Mentioned Author(s)Year of reportExplanation for washboarding

Dönhoff1860playing instinct
Schmid & Kleine1861playing instinct
Mehring1866wax lining
Kleine1866scraping to remove fungi and lichens
Buttel-Reepen1915playing instinct
Haidak1929scraping
Vahan1930petting something
Betts1931propelling the content of the honey-sac and exuding other substances
Alfonsus1932mechanical cleaning

Available hypotheses explaining washboarding, found in the literature 21st - 22nd century, as cited in Taulmann (2017)

Author(s)Year of reportExplanation for washboarding

Gary1992cleaning the surface around the hive entrance, removing any loose particles, parasites, fungi, or other debris
Bohrer and Pettis2006
Garvey2012keeping active during scarcity of food sources
Taulmann2017applying an attractive scent to the surface around the entrance, to help foragers to orientate

Fv/Fm values (±SD; n=3) in X_ parietina after exposure

SampleFv/FmObservations
D10.22±0.20depigmentation, presence of propolis on the surface
D2NAabsent
D30.22±0.39depigmentation, presence of propolis on the surface
D40.16±0.17depigmentation
D50.15±0.15depigmentation
D60depigmentation
D70.21±0.19presence of propolis on the surface
D80.42±0.13depigmentation
D90.42±0.37depigmentation, presence of propolis on the surface
D100.15±0.13depigmentation
A10.27±0.25presence of propolis on the surface
A20.28±0.08presence of propolis on the surface
A30.06±0.03depigmentation
A40.16±0.13presence of propolis on the surface
A50.39±0.06presence of propolis on the surface
A60.41±0.05no changes observed
A70.15±0.12depigmentation
A80.32±0.29depigmentation
A90.41±0.08no changes observed
A10NAabsent

YouTube video listNeoSansIntel-Medium

Link to VideosTitle /Author /date of postVisualizations /comments
1https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbwumXVTOz8Bees WashboardingAlexWild7320 Aug. 201045.313 / 24
2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxjc4tSKJFs&feature=emb_logoWashboard BehaviorDr. James E. Tew30 Aug. 201228.338 / 69
3https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcJtJdke0AQWashboarding/BeesDon The Fat Bee Man31 Aug. 201219.419 / 10
4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qncNbsh4_0&t=118sWashboard Movement of Honey Bees (Example and Explanation)Honey Bee Honey13 Nov. 201512.023 / 8
5https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=h6oaASApNk4&feature=emb_logoHONEY BEE Apis mellifera washboarding mystery solved?Dr. Tom Seeley is right.insidethehive.tv18 Aug. 20199.871 / 37
6https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUDBk9VTypc&t=149sWhen Honey Bees Do The Washboarding ThingDavid Burns4 Aug. 20168756 / 20
7https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBZpa-6rs8ANectar Dearth, Wash Boarding Bees And Never Getting PoisonIvy AgainJason Chrisman16 Aug. 20207.644 / 98
Link to Videos correlating washboarding to propolis distributionTitle / Author /date of postVisualizations /comments
8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXWefJhw2rA&feature=youtu.beHoneybee Propolis and Washboarding is there a connection?18 bees24 Aug. 20203.872 / 46
9https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3gUqC694D4Does bee washboarding on boxed hives mimic propolising in nature?18 bees10 Sept. 20202.774 / 27
10https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NRjYNJEb6gBees WashboardingJossamer Jedi22 Nov. 2015126 / 0
Link to other interesting VideosTitle / Author /date of postVisualizations /comments
11https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EavTZt8ybDcWash boarding beesJustified Bee7 May 20170/0
12https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t8JyQTUmSsBees shimmering or washboardingJohn Haverson17 Aug. 2016282/0
13https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WIeAd_ATkoBee tree bees wash boarding todayHooterville Honey bees22 Aug. 202022/1
14https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6LJyVnqFYU&fbclid=IwAR2FsbjtCHHzZi16cOaXWijeQUnuWdhKhCuJOKRCQDqIsIZqZvc8tKs6JOYHoneybees foraging on lichen? Very interesting honeybeebehaviorSwarmstead Bees & Gardening22 Oct. 2020362/13

List of identified lichen species present on each bark stripe used during the field experiment

Lichens present (x) on bark stripes collected in Italy in May 2019

A1A2A3A4A5A6A7A8A9A10

Amandinea punctata x xxx
Caloplaca cerina x
Candelaria concolorxxxxxxxxxx
Hyperphyscia adglutinataxxxxxxxxxx
Lecania cyrtella x x x
Lecidella elaeochroma xx x
Phaeophyscia orbicularisx x xx x x
Physcia adscendensxxxxx xxx
Physcia aipolia x
Physcia dubia x
Scoliciosporum sp. x
Xanthoria parietinaxxxxxxxxxx

Lichens present (x) on bark stripes collected in Portugal in April 2018

D1D2D3D4D5D6D7D8D9D10

Arthonia radiata x
Hyperphyscia adglutinata xxxx x
Lecanora chlarotera x x
Lecidella elaeochroma x
Pertusaria sp. x x
Physcia erumpens x x x
Xanthoria parietina xxxxxxxx
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jas-2022-0016 | Journal eISSN: 2299-4831 | Journal ISSN: 1643-4439
Language: English
Page range: 179 - 197
Submitted on: Jul 23, 2022
Accepted on: Nov 8, 2022
Published on: Dec 27, 2022
Published by: Research Institute of Horticulture
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 2 issues per year

© 2022 Manuela Giovanetti, Cristina Máguas, Silvana Munzi, published by Research Institute of Horticulture
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.