Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => REQUEENING & RAISING NEW QUEENS => Topic started by: Intheswamp on August 06, 2012, 10:23:51 am

Title: Any of these larvae young enough to make queens?
Post by: Intheswamp on August 06, 2012, 10:23:51 am

Are any of these larvae young enough for possible queen production? I'm trying to get an idea of what size is "ok". This will be for one of the non-grafting types of queen production...even doing a simple split I want to be sure I've got the right age larvae to work with. Thanks, Ed

(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n153/intheswamp00/Honey%20Bees/Brood%20Comb/th_080312_Larvae.jpg) (http://s111.photobucket.com/albums/n153/intheswamp00/Honey%20Bees/Brood%20Comb/?action=view&current=080312_Larvae.jpg)

Title: Re: Any of these larvae young enough to make queens?
Post by: hardwood on August 06, 2012, 11:24:19 am

Waaaay too old. You need a larva that has just hatched from the egg. If it has already taken the "C" shape it is too old. Look for ones that are not much bigger than an egg and just slightly bent.

Scott

Title: Re: Any of these larvae young enough to make queens?
Post by: REDBEE on August 07, 2012, 09:48:32 am

I think Scott's eyes are getting a bit old, if you look real good I do see a few that are the right age for a queen,remember Scott all it takes it one cell  :-D, Bruce :)

Title: Re: Any of these larvae young enough to make queens?
Post by: hardwood on August 07, 2012, 09:27:33 pm

Ever try to graft 40-50 queens from a frame like that Bruce? You'd be luck to have 3-4 take! How long has it been since you've had bees again??? :lau: :lau: :lau: Love ya Bro :-D

Scott

Title: Re: Any of these larvae young enough to make queens?
Post by: hardwood on August 07, 2012, 09:36:45 pm

BTW folks, REDBEE knows more about bees than many of us will ever know....was just joshing him a bit :-D

Title: Re: Any of these larvae young enough to make queens?
Post by: Intheswamp on August 08, 2012, 12:40:34 am

...and this newbee is sitting here going (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-confused009.gif)  :D

Title: Re: Any of these larvae young enough to make queens?
Post by: REDBEE on August 09, 2012, 09:04:26 am

OK OK now I'm the old guy sitting in the rocking chair trying to see grafing material with my specks on,I''ll be quiet an sit in my corner :-D,hey bubba you have a good day

Title: Re: Any of these larvae young enough to make queens?
Post by: Intheswamp on August 09, 2012, 11:48:37 am

Hmm, am I dealing with two escapees from the old bee's home?  :angel:  :-D

So the conclusion to this drama is...all the larvae in the picture are too old?  :-\

Thanks!
Ed

Title: Re: Any of these larvae young enough to make queens?
Post by: Michael Bush on August 09, 2012, 12:40:54 pm

If you can see them they are bigger than I like... but you could probably get the bees to make some queens out of those.  They would emerge a day early and not be as good, in my opinion.

Title: Re: Any of these larvae young enough to make queens?
Post by: Intheswamp on August 09, 2012, 01:41:12 pm

So what I should look for is a melted white bulge in the bottom of the cell...just a lumpy white smear...?

Ed

Title: Re: Any of these larvae young enough to make queens?
Post by: Michael Bush on August 10, 2012, 01:32:54 pm

Usually the "milk" is actually clear looking with just an imperfection on the surface when they are the age I like to see them...

Title: Re: Any of these larvae young enough to make queens?
Post by: Intheswamp on August 10, 2012, 03:06:48 pm

...a spot of glycerine with a small eyelash in it....?