Hello all-
I found a hive Queenless late last week. Meaning, no Queen in site, no larvae, no eggs, some caped brood, queen cells started.
I waited till this week, at least one erupted queen cell, other queen cells present two capped, others not.
Then i saw her, which i didnt think i would as ive heard Virgins are small, sometimes smaller than workers. Ive never seen what i knew was a virgin on a frwme in contrast to other workers and nurses. She was very dark, and not too small. I would say her abdomen was almost black. THe hive was originally queened with a Kona Queen, which tend to be big and orangy. I havent looked it up yet, so im asking ya'll....could her color be a sign she's young or old? The original queen i put in in the spring was orange. Also, no eggs os larvae yet, and less capped brood.
There was also chirping goning on in the hive, though i dont know who was doing it? I pinched the queen cells when i saw her.....hoping i was now queenright. My only worry is that shes a bum, and that color?? I didnt have time to seperate the capped queen cells for a nuc.
Im not opposed to requeening, since ive found 2 rescent suppliers.
Any experiences? Advice?
-Gator
I found a hive Queenless late last week. Meaning, no Queen in site, no larvae, no eggs, some caped brood, queen cells started.
I waited till this week, at least one erupted queen cell, other queen cells present two capped, others not.
Then i saw her, which i didnt think i would as ive heard Virgins are small, sometimes smaller than workers. Ive never seen what i knew was a virgin on a frwme in contrast to other workers and nurses. She was very dark, and not too small. I would say her abdomen was almost black. THe hive was originally queened with a Kona Queen, which tend to be big and orangy. I havent looked it up yet, so im asking ya'll....could her color be a sign she's young or old? The original queen i put in in the spring was orange. Also, no eggs os larvae yet, and less capped brood.
There was also chirping goning on in the hive, though i dont know who was doing it? I pinched the queen cells when i saw her.....hoping i was now queenright. My only worry is that shes a bum, and that color?? I didnt have time to seperate the capped queen cells for a nuc.
Im not opposed to requeening, since ive found 2 rescent suppliers.
Any experiences? Advice?
-Gator