Timing of swarm vs emergence

Hemlock · September 13, 2011, 10:11:43 PM

WHEN, does the old queen leave with the swarm; in relation to the emergence, or development, of the new stay behind queen?

Thanks

jajtiii · September 13, 2011, 10:40:03 PM

It varies.

I think the old gal typically hits the road with the primary swarm a day or two before the new queen(s) hatch. But, as with all things 'bee', it can vary.

FRAMEshift · September 13, 2011, 10:43:48 PM

The queen usually leaves at the time the queen cells are capped.

Michael Bush · September 14, 2011, 12:49:58 AM

>WHEN, does the old queen leave with the swarm; in relation to the emergence, or development, of the new stay behind queen?

Weather has a lot to do with when they actually leave, but typically (weather allowing) she leaves right as the queen cells get capped. But if the weather turns bad she may not leave until a week or more later in which case they will have to confine the virgins until she leaves. After swarms, if they occur, will be at least a week after the old queen leaves (weather permitting).

JP · September 14, 2011, 01:07:15 AM

I have spoken of a removal I did a few years ago from a children's play house where I caught nine queens. The first one I caught I'm pretty certain was the mated queen. She was much larger/swollen than the others.

I just can't remember what the weather pattern was like back then although it was a nice day that day when I performed the removal.

That was one I won't soon forget. I've removed some that had three maybe four queens at the most but that one in the play house was very unusual.

After I caught the fifth one I began calling everyone I thought would be interested in that sort of thing. :-D

...JP

schawee · September 14, 2011, 01:44:44 AM

i did a cutout about 6 weeks ago and it had 6 caped queen cells and the queen.it was raining that day.4 of the queen cells hatched while i was doing the cutout.the other two never did hatch.they are all doing great. ......schawee

Finski · September 14, 2011, 02:39:54 AM

.
Basicly a swarm leave when first queen cells have been capped.

After one week leaves second swarm. Its queens has been born 2 days earlier and they are hiding in they cells and they communicate with piping. When second swarm leave, new queens emerge out an start to kill each other.
It is normal that I get 10 new queens ready to fly if I open the hive at once when the swarm has leaved.

Quickest swams are those whose hives is full of honey. You find only eggs in cell cups and a swarm has gone.

Interesting is that the colony has made its swarming decision quite a lot earlier than it actually happens.