What behavioral signs may indicate distress in a bee colony?

Aggressive behavior and disoriented flight patterns in a bee colony are key indicators of distress. When bees feel threatened or are experiencing problems such as disease, pests, or environmental stressors, they may become more aggressive in defending their hive. This can manifest in behaviors such as stinging more readily when a person approaches the hive. Disoriented flight patterns, on the other hand, often suggest that the bees are confused or stressed, possibly due to a loss of their queen or major disruption in their environment. In a healthy colony, bees typically exhibit more directed and purposeful flight patterns as they forage and communicate.

In contrast, increased honeycomb production would generally suggest a thriving colony preparing for growth or storage, and calm flight patterns indicated a peaceful environment with no immediate threats. The presence of a strong queen is a sign of a healthy colony, not distress. Thus, the combination of aggressive behavior and disoriented flight patterns is a strong signal of potential problems within the colony.