[IrishDave]

I installed a package of bees in a new hive on May 15 and have checked on it about every two weeks since. Last check, about two weeks back all looked well, queenright, capped and uncapped brood, nectar, pollen and some capped honey around the edges. No sign of queen cells. Today there seemed to be less bees, less signs of regular hive work been done and a new queen ! It almost looks like I just dropped the package in !
Any thoughts on this perplexing situation ?

 

[Smokeybee]

Was the old queen marked? They could be slowing down because of a nectar dearth. Location would help answer this.

 

[IrishDave]

Original queen was marked, new queen is naked. Newport Rhode Island .. other hives are moving right along, no sign of slowing down , Judy started to add supers where nesessary ...