[BjornBee]

If you find a swarm queen prior to her departure, and cage her, would she be any less of a good queen for requeening another hive or even possibly for resale?

I know the colony as a whole dictates much as to swarming, but would such a queen be more prone to just swarming from another hive a bit later?

Thank you.

 

[riverrat]

good questions that require some thought. I personally wouldnt buy a swarm queen. but if I didnt pick up swarms and was wanting the genetics from feral bees I might consider it. even though the queen may be superceded fairly quickly after hiving her. This kind of post is what I like out of borjn he can realy set you to thinking sometimes.

 

[Iddee]

If it were the primary swarm about to take place, I would think she would be as good as any other year or more old queen that had shown the same traits as she had. I don't think the fact that she was preparing to swarm would effect her future performance.

Just thoughts, mind you, no scientific research to back it up.

 

[G3farms]

If that is the swarm queen, I would think she would be just fine for putting in another hive. She has already proven herself that she is a viable layer because the population has built up to the point of swarming. The genetics has somewhat proven itself as survivors against mites and beetles and moths and ....and ..... well you get the point.
Of course this is providing you were managing the bees some what.

As far as resale to someone you did not know or shipping it out, NO. Most likely there would not be a thing wrong with her but your reputation as a queen breeder and seller is on the line here. If it was the local kid or guy down the road that needed a queen in a hurry just give it to them with the understanding that it is an old queen, but then you would be close to help out anyway.

Just my thinking, I am sure someone will correct it shortly

G3

 

[tecumseh]

this older queen has a record of performance that is staring you in the face (at one time such queens might be referred to as 'tested' meaing you had kept them around long enough to look at their offspring directly). just the fact that the hive is swarming should suggest that this queen has had some success.

the downside is most of the time the genetic background of such queens is questionable. most folks who rear queens for sale like to begin with an ai (II) queen's larvae so that at least one leg of the pedigree is established.

 

[barry42001]

Swarm queens, being a primary swarm queen, reared in the best conditions, best weather, food, and colony strengths, aside from being generated for swarming, would be a fine prime queen, superceedure queens, another matter, they are raised as emergency queens, perhaps not the best circumstances, best feed, best weather and colony strength not a high less attendants. My only issue from a queen generated from a swarm cell is that to my way of thinking, perpetuates a colony inclined to swarm, I know the arguments to come, but is my thought processing. Would prefer to have the queen I want rather then the queen they give me, again is just my thought processing.
Barry