If you come across
> a colony with no bees, this does not necessarily
> dictate an absconding took place.
>    
  The absconds I've seen have occurred in nucleus colonies that got too 
hot. They leave the hive quickly and don't fly about the apiary in a 
circle as do swarms. Instead they're over the trees and gone...like a 
cartoon arrow. Also unlike swarms, they don't make queen cells before 
leaving.

After absconding, some field bees remain and young emerging bees. A week 
or ten days after absconding, there is a small cluster, more brood than 
they can handle, no queen, and emergency cells.
Mike

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