There has been discussion and some research recently on how long queens live nowadays compared to earlier days. I've just posted on: chrissladesbeeblog.wordpress.com the record of my queens from 1985 until now. I'm not a statistician and make no claims or conclusions but would welcome comments from anyone interested.
Boiling the figures down, queens in my hives in the years 1985 - 1995 were there for 2.28 years on average. 1995 - 2003: 1.82 years. 2001 - 2007: 2.12 years. 2005 - 2009: 1.86 years. 2008 - 2012: 1.7 years. 2011 - 2017: 1.98 years.
The figures relate to the time when the queens were in my hives so those that arrived or left with swarms might have lived a year or two longer.
Chris
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