What does absconding in honey bees refer to?

Absconding in honey bees specifically refers to the scenario where the entire colony leaves the hive. This behavior typically occurs when the bees experience unfavorable conditions within the hive, such as insufficient food supplies, a high level of disturbance, disease, or pest infestations. During absconding, the bees, including the queen, will abandon the hive altogether in search of a more suitable environment.

This behavior is different from swarming, where part of the colony, including the queen and a portion of the worker bees, leave to establish a new hive, while the remaining bees stay behind. In contrast, during absconding, there is no part of the colony left behind; the entire group relocates. Understanding this distinction is crucial for beekeepers as it helps in handling colonies and managing hive health effectively.