Queen Identification

Lukesan · May 09, 2015, 06:18:51 AM

How does one identify the queen bee?

BeeMaster2 · May 09, 2015, 07:02:38 AM

Google honey bee queens to see pictures of queens. Your queen is the longest bee in the hive. Her abdomin is longer than any other bee. It is that way for laying eggs at the bottom of the cells. It is also where her ovaries are and they are much larger than the workers ovaries.
This site has good pictures and info.
http://barnsleybeekeepers.org.uk/bee_sexes.html

rwlaw · May 09, 2015, 08:19:57 AM

Ya, get a collection of pics with queens on frames. Pretty quick you'll start being able to pick them out.
There's two types of bees that are bigger than workers, drones and the Q. Drones have bullet shaped abdomens and the Q's are carrot shaped. The Q doesn't have stripes and hairs on the abdomen that drones have.

mtnb · May 09, 2015, 11:54:01 AM

I'm afraid of that too. lol I've been looking at frames and trying to find queens but it's hard for a newbee. lol I can see her in a still frame but it's gotta be so much different when they're all moving around.

lol

BeeMaster2 · May 10, 2015, 06:35:40 AM

Quote from: MT Bee Girl on May 09, 2015, 11:54:01 AM
I'm afraid of that too. lol I've been looking at frames and trying to find queens but it's hard for a newbee. lol I can see her in a still frame but it's gotta but so much different when they're all moving around. lol

When you are doing your inspection, take a picture of each side of every frame. Then later you can take your time and look them over and find her.
Jim

mtnb · May 10, 2015, 10:59:07 AM

[/quote]
When you are doing your inspection, take a picture of each side of every frame. Then later you can take your time and look them over and find her.
Jim
[/quote]

Now THAT, is a great idea!!! Thank you.

OldMech · May 10, 2015, 11:54:15 AM

You can also find vids of queens moving among the bees.. in time, with a little practice you will spot her easier and quicker without even really trying.

mtnb · May 10, 2015, 12:16:34 PM

Quote from: OldMech on May 10, 2015, 11:54:15 AM
You can also find vids of queens moving among the bees.. in time, with a little practice you will spot her easier and quicker without even really trying.

I knew you'd also have a good idea OldMech. :) Thank you. I'll look for some videos! I'm also a little afraid of losing or crushing her..I'm such a cluts at times.

Maggiesdad · May 10, 2015, 10:08:11 PM

klutz

Michael Bush · May 11, 2015, 08:56:13 AM

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesqueenspotting.htm

mtnb · May 11, 2015, 09:00:59 AM

Quote from: Maggiesdad on May 10, 2015, 10:08:11 PM
klutz

I knew it didn't look right when I wrote it. Lol

mtnb · May 11, 2015, 09:06:33 AM

"The workers move like they're listening to Aerosmith. The queen moves like she's listening to Schubert or Brahms."

That is great! Lol

"Also, mental attitude makes a difference when trying to find anything from your car keys to hunting deer to finding a queen. As long as you are doing cursory looks thinking it won't be there you won't find it. You have to believe that the keys, or the deer or the queen IS there. That you are looking right at it and you just have to see it. And then suddenly you do. You have to convince yourself that it is there and convince yourself that you will find it. I don't know how to explain it well enough, but you have to learn to think like that."

I can do that! Thanks!

BeeMaster2 · May 11, 2015, 12:21:47 PM

Quote from: MT Bee Girl on May 10, 2015, 10:59:07 AM

When you are doing your inspection, take a picture of each side of every frame. Then later you can take your time and look them over and find her.
Jim
[/quote]

Now THAT, is a great idea!!! Thank you.
[/quote]
No problem. Like most things in life, it just takes practice. It will come to you.
Keep in mind, some queens go out of their way NOT to be seen.
Jim

mtnb · May 11, 2015, 10:21:19 PM

Yes, I was reading something the other day where someone said they didn't see their Queen for the first year and a half! I too shall have faith like that!

I also read somewhere that she generally has an entourage of 4-5 workers circling around her and the others get out of her way. I guess I can see that when she's not hiding. lol

cao · May 11, 2015, 10:58:01 PM

I have a hive that started as a nuc that I bought 3 years ago. I took about 10 gallons of honey off of it last year and pulled several frames of brood from it. I have yet to see the queen in that hive. As good as it has done and continues to do, i could care less if I ever see that queen. Although it would still be nice to get a peek at her.

don2 · May 11, 2015, 11:28:53 PM

I see the Queen more times when I'm not looking for her, than I do when looking for her. d2

Michael Bush · May 12, 2015, 09:08:18 AM

The best way to learn to spot a queen is to put an observation hive in your living room and don't mark the queen. You can find her several times a day and you'll get used to spotting her by all of those innate things like how she moves and how the bees around her move.

GSF · May 12, 2015, 10:40:08 PM

Workers are small, drones are like linebackers, queens usually drag a carrot behind them. Some queens are small and some stick out. My wife just loves finding the queen.