Expectations of VSH virgins... acceptance /performance
I might buy some VSH virgins this Summer. Introduction (in queen castles or nucs) could begin at Emergence +3 days.
If the virgins are introduced to only nurse bees and sealed/emerging brood what acceptance rate should I expect?
I have a site with non-Italians (Carni and Palmer/Palmer daughters) and few miles away there's a beekeeper that has numerous Palmer and Zia queens, and possibly a couple of Italians. There could easily be other colonies in the area.
Should I have any particular expectations of the open mated VSH queens?
Re: Expectations of VSH virgins... acceptance /performance
I get around 70% acceptance. I had good results with virgin VSH queens from Broke_T. I expect it depends on their breeding. I would order from a reliable breeder.