George:
 
I hate to disagree with you, but queens DO sting!
 
Not often, but believe me, I have been stung a few times by queens.  The
stinger does not have a barb on the end, so the queen can sting repeatedly.
 
Also, concerning queen mating; Queens must mate within a short period of
time.  A queen breeders biggest concern is the supply drones during the few
days that the virgins fly.  The queens will mate, but if the drone supply
is inadequate the mating will be insufficient and the queens will become
drone layers in a short time.  A big nightmare!
 
Just a quick side note...  we are in the middle of a strong, sustained
christmas berry (Brazilian pepper) flow.  This is the only strong flow of
the year.  Unfortunately it is some of the worst honey in the world, green,
strong and tasting like sulphur!
 
Aloha,
 
Mark in Hawaii