If you come across
> a colony with no bees, this does not necessarily
> dictate an absconding took place.
>
The absconds I've seen have occurred in nucleus colonies that got too
hot. They leave the hive quickly and don't fly about the apiary in a
circle as do swarms. Instead they're over the trees and gone...like a
cartoon arrow. Also unlike swarms, they don't make queen cells before
leaving.
After absconding, some field bees remain and young emerging bees. A week
or ten days after absconding, there is a small cluster, more brood than
they can handle, no queen, and emergency cells.
Mike
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