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Date: | Mon, 16 May 1994 09:39:00 -0700 |
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Hello Dan, welcome to the list
I assume when you removed the queen cages, the queens were left in the
hive.
The cages containing queens in packages usually have to be opened by
hand to release the queen (the other way is a candy plug which allows
the bees to release the queen themselves, but that type is not usually
used in packages because the bees could release the queen before the
package arrives).
Anyway, assuming the queen is in the hive, she should lay eggs within a
day. Eggs are laid in a large oval patch in the centre of the area
occupied by the bees
In 3 days those first eggs would hatch to larvae (about the same size as
the eggs), which
in 5 days will grow to pearly white larvae almost filling the cells. The
cells are then capped with a slightly fibrous, brown waxy cover. The
eggs laid on May 8th would be in that condition now. The queen would
have continued to lay eggs on subsequent days and the earlier stages
should also be present. There should be brood patches at least 8 inches
across by now, in the center of the central frames occupied by the bees.
3 weeks from the date eggs were laid, the bees will start to emerge from
the cells, and the adult bee population will grow.
Good luck
Kerry Clark, Apiculture Specialist
B.C. Ministry of Agriculture
1201 103 Ave
Dawson Creek B.C.
V1G 4J2 CANADA Tel (604) 784-2225 fax (604) 784-2299
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