New Queen Cell

[kawayanan]

While doing a inspection, I found this queen cell on the edge of one of my TBH combs. The hive is a package installed this year, and is still building up. They have plenty of space, so I wouldn't think they are thinking of swarming. Maybe a superseding their queen? This is the only one I saw, and as far as I can tell its empty. If they are thinking of superseding, do they normally build multiple queen cells?

[Keith Benson]

That is a cup, not a cell. Dont' sweat it, they almost always have a couple around.

Keith

[Beaches' Bee-Haven Apiary]

When I started my first hive last year my bees built several queen cups, It really worried Mom and I. Nothing has happend to this day. 10 to 1 there empty and your bees are just building them "in case".

Here's a pic of my bees from last year:



-Nathanael

[kawayanan]

Cool, thanks for the info. Its nice to know that my bees are being good boy scouts...girls scouts...whatever, being prepared.

[Chef Isaac]

what type of bees are they? Russians will have cups ready to go.

[kawayanan]

Originally Posted by Chef Isaac

what type of bees are they? Russians will have cups ready to go.

They were packages from Wilbanks in Ga. (got them through Brushy Mountain). I believe they are Italian (they weren't sold as anything but bees ).

[Dan Williamson]

When they start looking elongated and have white around the edges that is the time to take notice.

If I see one I usually take a peek to see if there are eggs in it. Sometimes there may be an egg that was just laid in it and they haven't started working on the cell just like the one I found yesterday. That is most often a very early warning that there is congestion, and they are thinking of swarming.

Yours is just a harmless cup but always keep an eye on them. They will be your first clue that something is amiss.

[beekeepman]

Looking at Kawayn's photo, the cell above the queen cell is a drone cell, right? (Learning to identify)