Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => REQUEENING & RAISING NEW QUEENS => Topic started by: reid36 on May 21, 2010, 05:50:23 pm

Title: Virgin Queen
Post by: reid36 on May 21, 2010, 05:50:23 pm

I was looking at my hives yesterday and also a nuc that had been queenless for over a week because the queen cell that was in there turned out to be empty even though it was sealed.  When I separated the two deep boxes on the larger hive a queen swarm cell split open and a new queen backed out of the cell.  I picked her up and placed her into the queenless nuc.  She was investigated by a couple of bees when she was placed on top of the frame but they did not bother her and she disappeared down onto the comb.  My question is this, do you think that she will survive and be accepted?  I figured I had nothing to lose and it was a gut shot reaction. 

Thanks,
Reid

Title: Re: Virgin Queen
Post by: fish_stix on May 25, 2010, 01:16:03 pm

Nobody can answer this question! Just WAIT and see.

Title: Re: Virgin Queen
Post by: hardwood on May 25, 2010, 01:21:17 pm

I'd say her chances are pretty good.

Scott

Title: Re: Virgin Queen
Post by: John Schwartz on May 25, 2010, 01:22:06 pm

How did her wings look? Were they well-formed/complete looking?

Title: Re: Virgin Queen
Post by: Kathyp on May 25, 2010, 01:22:17 pm

there is always an answer.  in this case, the answer is maybe....  :evil:

if she was mature, she will probably survive the workers.  if she survives the mating flight, you'll have a queen.  

the fact that they didn't go after her is a good sign the they will accept her.  seems that they take to virgin queens more easily.  you'll often have several in a hive and the workers don't care.  

Title: Re: Virgin Queen
Post by: reid36 on May 25, 2010, 01:52:08 pm

Her wings looked good.  Actually she looked really good overall.  I will try to keep you posted.  It would be great if it works.