Another mystery is the behavior called
BALLING THE QUEEN BEE
It is only repeating an old axiom to mention that a colony in which a queen has been newly introduced should not be disturbed for several days. In this experiment, however, it was desired to get exact data on how soon the queen was released from the Miller cage and when she commenced egg laying. For this reason the colonies were examined each day after being installed until these facts were ascertained. In spite of every precaution four queens (those in 424, 454, 473, and 483) were found balled within two days after the packages were installed. They were thereupon rolled in honey, returned to their colonies, and three (those in 424, 454, and 473) were reaccepted. This treatment apparently did not save the fourth, since No. 483 was found queenless four days later. Two queen bees (those in 404 and 444) were lost within two days after being introduced, whether because of the premature opening of the hive or not. Three others (those in 461, 465, and 474) were lost within six to nine days after being introduced, although balling, if it occurred, was not observed.
Nolan, William John. The Development of Package-bee Colonies. USDA. JUNE, 1932
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