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Queen cells are specially built or enlarged cells for raising queens. During the active period of their life, bees do not make them, because there is a queen. They don't need another one. The reason for oviposition and the construction of corresponding structures is:
- pre-swarm state, this is how swarm queens appear;
- the need to replace the current queen bee as a result of death, illness or inability to lay eggs.
The main bee is easy to distinguish from the rest. She is longer and slimmer. There is a sting that is designed to destroy rivals. She doesn't bite people. After emerging from the cocoon, the “queen” bee tends to leave the hive along with the swarm. Mates with drones. After returning, the process of laying eggs begins. She is surrounded by nurse bees. When the parent is engaged in the reproduction of offspring, they feed her. The mother of honey insects lives on average 9 years. However, beekeepers typically change queens every 2 years.
What is a queen cell?
The photo shows a mature queen bee cell - a cell for hatching a “queen”.Unlike worker bees and drones, which develop in mass honeycombs, the queen bee matures in an individual cell. As soon as the old queen weakens and loses the ability to reproduce offspring, the swarm actively begins to create a queen cell. First of all, they build a bowl and fill it with milk. Then the old mother lays an egg there. As the larva grows, the structure increases.
The formation of the cocoon is carried out by builder bees with developed wax glands. Bee queen cell, unlike honeycomb cells, is always used for its intended purpose. Food supplies are never stored there.
What does the queen cell look like?
Externally, the queen cell looks like a multifaceted cone hanging down from the frame. It resembles an acorn in shape and color. It's hard not to notice him. Located at the top of the sealed brood tray. It has a dark brown color.
Types of queen cells in bees
There are 2 types of queen bees - swarming and fistulous. They serve one purpose - the removal of queens. However, they have differences and features.
Fistula queen cell
The creation of cameras of this type is a necessary measure. Bees build them if there is a threat of extinction: for some reason the family has lost its “queen”. To save life, a new womb is required. Then the insects choose ready-made honeycombs with a young larva. Then the cell is enlarged at the expense of neighboring bowls, thus turning it into a bee queen cell. When the cocoon begins to grow, walls are built up, with edges curving down. Milk is introduced into the larvae's diet.
The photo clearly shows that the structure of the fistula queen cell is milky-white in color, since the construction is made from fresh wax. They are created by weak honey-bearing insects. The end result is that the queens are unproductive and small. A similar thing happens when a new parent is introduced to the layering. Most often, beekeepers remove these cocoons.
Swarm queen cell
A swarm type of queen cell is constructed on the edge of the tray. Insects lay them on the edges of the honeycomb, and if such construction is not possible, they create wax structures on the edges. Cup-shaped base. The beginning is called a bowl. The bottom is rounded. The inner walls are smooth, the texture is glossy. The thickness of the walls depends on the breed of bees, the honeybee, the strength of the family, and the climatic characteristics of the region. For example, the bees inhabiting the Northern, Central zone of Russia have thicker partitions than those of the southern “residents”.
They create a cocoon from recycled beeswax, which is why the color is brown. Swarm structures are often placed individually, less often in pairs. The size of the queen cell varies greatly. Its value is influenced by the amount of food in nature. The maximum volume of a swarm-type cocoon is 750-1350 cubic meters. mm. Length 22-24 cm.
Thanks to swarm queen cells, beekeepers breed productive swarms of bees. They collect more honey and wax, and their proboscis is much longer than that of artificially bred families. At the same time, swarming species should not be left to their own devices.
In turn, they have a number of disadvantages:
- it is difficult to control the number of queen bees;
- it is not possible to adjust the period when the species will be laid down;
- a strong colony is used, but during the swarming process its productivity decreases;
- unwanted swarming in the apiary is allowed.
How to determine which queen cell is fistulous or swarming
Type of queen cell | |
Roevoy | Fistula |
1.Purpose | |
Designed to breed a swarm “queen”, who will lead a swarm that has separated from the family. | Emergency measure. In case the queen bee cannot cope with the main function of reproducing offspring. |
2.Location | |
Construction takes place on the edge of the honeycomb. Formation begins with a round bowl. There are structures built on the honeycomb plane. | Cocoons are located in ordinary cells. During the development of the larvae, they artificially expand to the desired size. |
3.Laying eggs | |
First of all, the bee queen cell is rebuilt, and before swarming begins, the queen lays an egg. | They are formed on ordinary honeycombs, with existing eggs from the previous parent. |
4.Dimensions | |
Exceeds the fistula type in terms of volume. The dimensions depend on the presence of food in it. The shape resembles a huge acorn. | It is small in size. Looks like an elongated protrusion on the cell. |
5. Appearance | |
Recycled materials – darkened wax – are used as construction material. Therefore, the color of the structure is rich brown. | They are distinguished by their snow-white color. Since the cells were built urgently from fresh material. |
How larvae develop in queen cells
The larvae that are in the bee queen cell grow for 5.5-6 days. When receiving enough food, it can increase in size by 5 times. This happens due to the nutrients contained in bee milk. Stages of larval development.
- Oviposition.
- On day 3, the egg transforms into a larva.
- On day 8-9, the queen cell is sealed with a plug of wax and bee bread.
- Over the course of 7-9 days, the sealed larva pupates.
- The process of transformation into a fully developed individual occurs in 14-17 days.
- After the specified time, the upper part of the structure is printed.
Use of excess queen cells
Methods for artificially breeding queen bees are described in Beekeeping. The section is called Mother Breeding. There is always a use for young, productive “queens.” Several dozen colonies are bred in private apiaries; in large bee farms this figure varies from 120 to 150. However, no one is safe from the loss of a mother bee. And if there are healthy, breeding queens, then there is nothing to be afraid of. This is a backup option in case of premature loss. A new female can be added to the layer, thus forming new families.
The second option is sale. Good money is paid for a bee bred from fertile parents. In addition, 8-10 young individuals are required to accompany them.
How to transfer a queen cell to a new family
Moving a queen bee colony to a new location is not an easy task. It would be optimal to replant together with the cell on which it is located. There is no need to rush; the older the larva is, the faster the new bees will accept it.
Opened or recently sealed queen cells should not be turned over, shaken, or exposed to temperature. Ripe queen bee will tolerate light exposure and can be kept at room temperature for a couple of hours.
A simple way to move the queen cell:
- Separate the chamber with a sharp knife, along with the honeycombs. There is no need to touch the mother liquor itself so as not to damage the integrity.
- Cut in circles with a diameter of 1 cm.
- Pick up a long stick and split it lengthwise.
- Honeycombs are inserted between the two halves, and the edges are connected with thread.
- The structure is installed near the nest.
When replanting, it is important to pay attention to the time of year. If it’s cold outside, it’s already September, then the queen cell is placed closer to the brood. There the bees are more active, they will warm the pupa better. When warm weather persists, a sealed chamber can be placed at the bottom of the evidence. There, honey bees will provide the future “queen” with warmth.
If the honeycomb is damaged and the larva becomes visible, then you need to carefully cover the area with wax. It is advisable to wash your hands before the procedure. A foreign odor may remain on the walls of the transplanted chamber, which will greatly reduce the success of transplantation.
The next day after installing the cocoon, you must check its condition.
- If the bees have registered it for drift, the attachment was successful.
- If holes appear in the chamber, it means that the bees have gnawed through the wax and killed the queen.
- The presence of an “acorn” indicates that the queen bee has already emerged.
After 3 days, the insects completely destroy the wax, then the further share of the “queen” will be unknown. If the replanting does not work the first time, you can try again. If another failure occurs, it is better not to waste the material, but to immediately introduce the finished uterus.
Conclusion
The queen cell and its development have features that require attention. After all, the uterus is the continuer of the family. And the entire bee family, as well as the productivity and size of the apiary, directly depends on it. Your own home-grown bee will, without a doubt, be better than someone else’s. However, the issue of obtaining a “queen” should be approached with all seriousness, having first studied the nuances in the Uterine Removal section.
