[alphabee]

I have started a new hive and something has happened that I cannot explain. Immediately they have started building comb and the first thing on the comb is ....A QUEEN CELL? Does this spell trouble?

 

[Rick_Bee]

Is it dry or wet?
A dry cell is just the bees practicing.

Alternatively what are the conditions? Large or small colony? Hive space? Resources? Queen condition?

Is the QC located high or low on the frame?

 

[alphabee]

It appears to be a dry cell it had an opening aimed towards the bottom but wasn't capped and didn't have eggs. The cell is located midway up the frame right in the middle of the half about 4 frames in on a 10 frame hive. It is a brand new hive that I just installed. Its a small hive still in beginning stages but gaining strength quickly comparitively to my other hives. I have 4 other hives and this is new. Im relatively new beekeeper so I expect this wont be the strangest thing I see.

I appreciate your input!

 

[Rick_Bee]

Midway up the frame would be a supersede type cell, that position indicates the bees may want to re-queen themselves.
If there is only one and dry maybe they didn't get the memo.
Usually if there is a problem with the queen they will usually make multiple supersede cells, and they will be wet.

Usually.

 

[alphabee]

Well im just curious why they would make the cell without there being any eggs in it and the queen is brand new, healthy, and Young. She had been traveling in the queen cage probably 5 days before picking her up. They had plenty of time to accept her. I guess All i can do is wait another week or two before checking the brood again

 

[Rick_Bee]

Maybe they did not get the memo?

You can't be certain the queen is well mated, the bees know.

Bees will be bees and do what they please.

Practice cups are common, it's like they are reserving a spot should they need it.

 

[Wil]

Good topic there alphabee. I learned something by you bringing this up. Since I am new also, Rick has given me some insight as to way bees might be thinking.