My purpose would be like I stated above, that it would be easier to see into and graft out of a drone cell. I was unaware that the queen fertilized worker eggs and not drone eggs. I guess I was thinking that the workers some how decided? Like I said it was a silly question in the first place. I guess I should've put a little more thought into it. Thanks for the answers.>Ok this might be a silly question but I'm gonna ask anyway. Can you graft a larva out of a drone cell into a queen cup? I was thinking it would be easier to see into a drone cell to graft from that from a worker cell?
Yea... I don't understand your purpose. It will not become a queen...
>Also is there any problem with marking virgin queens?
Yes. They have a tendency to fly when you try to catch them and sometimes they do not come back...
Mated queens, which are bigger and slower, are hard enough to grab off of the comb. So, I wouldn't bother. But, go ahead. You may find out why it isn't recommended.In regards to the marking of virgin queens. I just like to get things done when the opportunity presents itself. I seem to be able to find them relatively easy so I figured I would just mark her. I guess time will tell if it had/has any impact on her being mated or returning from a fleight???
I would predict that grafting drone larvae into a queen cup that one would find the workers will clean it out rather than feed it. But, knowing what is now known I don't see why one would graft into queen cups from drone larvae except just for the fun of it.That would be interesting to see if you ended up with a gigantic drone.
Remove the bee suit and step away from the hive very slowly. Hands where I can see them. Now walk away from the hive(s) and put down the smoker and hive tool.Ok this might be a silly question but I'm gonna ask anyway. Can you graft a larva out of a drone cell into a queen cup? I was thinking it would be easier to see into a drone cell to graft from that from a worker cell?
Um....hey who knows? Give it a try. Go ahead and watch the queen(s) you worked so hard to raise fly away. After a few dozen you will get the idea.Also is there any problem with marking virgin queens?
That makes sense. Last year I did mark 2 or 3 virgins as I found them and wanted to keep track of them. They were gone in a day or two and I never saw them again. I ended up combining their nucs back with other colonies.In regards to marking a virgin queen I have read that you will make her more of a target when she is doing her mating flights..
Should one put her in a cage with candy for release?Virgin is runny and hard to catch hiding on the comb. She might not make it
back from her mating flight. I rather wait for a laying queen and then mark her.
Treat her like a new queen so the workers will not ball her after marking her.