>  The queen in the
> second package left the hive _without_ the swarm (I witnessed this
> happen. The swarm was ready to leave earlier in the day, but the
> queen wasn't.  She then left later in the afternoon on her own.).
 
I'm curious where she went.
 
The more I learn about bees, the more I realise that what we think we
know are vast generalisations about critters that have many
variations in individual behaviours.
 
> Do the methods that the queen breeder uses have an affect on the
> quality of queens?
 
Various reports over the years have shown pretty conclusively that
the conditions under which queens are raised is generally more
important than the genetics (assuming reasonably closely related
strains).  Well-raised queens from average to poor stock outperformed
queens from good stock that were poorly raised.
 
> Will these queens pass these traits on to future
> generations?
 
Geneticists have argued about this from the days of Darwin.  The
consensus, I believe,  is that they will not.   But if you want to
start an arguement  this is a good topic ;)
 
> As a result of what I consider questionable quality of these queens,
> I have new queens on order and will be requeening.
 
Always a good plan.  If in doubt, change the queen.  Little to lose
and lots to gain.
 
Regards
 
Allen
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                                         VE6CFK
RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta  Canada T0M 1Y0
Internet:[log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask]
Honey. Bees, & Art <http://www.internode.net/~allend/>