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

Abstract A common view is that honeybees are mostly managed by beekeepers for commercial purposes or as a hobby, especially in Europe. This misconception probably due to the lack of systematic studies on wild colonies Europe comparison other regions world. Since we used considering this species “domesticated”, may be induced disregard activities not distinctly linked with colony survival, reproduction, productivity. Washboarding one them which entire stops resource collection activities; numerous individual bees assemble front side hive and perform repetitive movements back forth. They curiously synchronised but apparently without scope. In exploratory work, carried out literature review available, grey, literature. Assuming behaviour cavity-nesting tree trunks rocks being rough surfaces hosting various cryptogams, performed preliminary observations manipulative experiments. From our survey, depict washboarding frequently reported grey literature/beekeepers’ reports, rarely mentioned scientific Beekeepers who responded designed questionnaire observed ecological situations, no trend emerging. Our experiment placing cryptogams hives resulted removing lichens (foliose types) covering propolis, all were affected. Further research needed clarify if removed because their chemical compounds, potentially toxic microorganisms, collected resources.