I smashed a queen picking it up, and she's still laying

[ifixoldhouses]

I damaged a queen, and she's still laying eggs, with a big dent in her abdomen, I wonder how long before the worker bees notice?
made a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9dBhAVCUkI

[Ben Framed]

I mashed one in a cutout once, she was not dented but I had fear that she was severely injured. I visited a nearby famous beekeeper, Walls Bee Man (Tim Durham),  and he told me she would be alright. I am glad to tell you Tim nailed it. In your case I do not know. I will say since she is laying all hope is not gone. I wish I could tell you more. Surely there are some of our more experienced keepers here that will have more to say about this. If not please report back because I would also like to know what is to be expected in a case like this.

Thanks,

Phillip Hall

[herbhome]

If she is laying, don't fret. If she runs out the bees themselves will replace her. Biggest concern is if drones are available to breed the replacement. Hopefully she will last long enough to make it till breeding season if not.

[van from Arkansas]

The queens 4th segment is dented.  That is the right ovary just underneath the exoskeleton.  The ovary is probably damaged,, however each ovary is composed of hundreds of rows of thousands of cells.  A few rows, out of hundreds, are damaged from the pic.

I cant tell internal damage from the pic, however I can provide the very basic above info.  The segments, 5 and 6, the last two segments, are the most sensitive as this is the area of the spermatheca and value fold, no damage as seen in the pic.  Best to the queen.

Van

[BeeMaster2]

Even if they decide to replace her, they will create supercedure cells and you will end up with 2 queens laying side by side for about a month or so. Not a bad thing.
Jim Altmiller

[jtcmedic]

It happens, I had one that looked like she got caught by a bird. Never did well

[Donovan J]

I once accidentally dented a queens thorax marking her and I felt bad for the rest of the season

[ifixoldhouses]

I've already got 14 mating nucs full of queen cells, I guess I'll replace her soon with one of those.