Virgin Queen Photo

[Aisha]

I'm pretty sure this is a virgin queen. She may have drowned in heavy rain yesterday. A worker was dragging her away from the hive and I happened to catch it.

I couldn't find a milky, round spermatheca inside so it must have been clear (i.e., unmated). She is so translucent and golden! All the queen bees I have seen on the internet are leathery looking.

Her stinger is extruded. Does that mean anything? Did she die in battle?

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1390/1322816066_4010fde787.jpg

[dcross]

Looks like she fell into a pool of sugar syrup and drank her way out:) Just like in Strange Brew!

[Riki]

IMO the extrusion of the stinger and the volume and looking of the abdomen are due the water she drowned in.