Queen question

[Mklangelo]

No sign of the marshmallows.  1 worker was milling around in one of the queen cages.  Here are the conditions I found.



  Comb being built.  I can't tell if she's laying or not.  I saw comb being built in the center of the middle frame.  Not fully built but some glistening moisture at the bottom of the more drawn comb.  Will bees build comb in a queenless hive?  And will they build comb if the queen is there but not laying

I'll try to get some pics up later.


Thanks!

PS:  I should add that it's been rainy and cool here for a few days, around 45 in the days and 40ish in the overnight hours.  I know that's cold enough to keep them from scouting for food.

[Brian D. Bray]

Yes to both questions.  Bees in a swarm or package will build comb if there is none, they need to have something to do although they will build it much faster in a queen right hive. 
The mark of a better than average queen is her willingness to lay eggs in partially drawn comb.  Under swarm conditions the queen will begin laying as soon as there is space and a lilttle nectar and pollen has been gathered to feed the young.  The worker bees will finish drawing out the comb and cap the brood cells.