Is Nasonov scenting a sign of introduced queen acceptance?

[Patrick Scannell]

Is Nasonov scenting a sign of introduced queen acceptance?

When checking on some introduced queens in mail-order 3-hole cages, I noticed workers on and around the cages scenting.

Should this be on the list of "Behaviors indicating acceptance" ? It is easier to see than whether a worker on the cage is attempting to feed the queen, or bite the wire.

[Ravenseye]

I wouldn't call it "acceptance" so much as the equivalent of a bee shouting "here's the queen"! I tend to think that aggressive behavior is more important to identify than accepting behavior. Accepting behavior might be as benign as walking around, acting normal near the queen.

[Patrick Scannell]

aggressive behavior is more important

True, but it is not always easy to tell if that wad of bees on the cage-wire is motivated out of love or hatred.

I took the scenting as a shout of "Here's the queen and we love her!", and released the queen and so far so good.