I'm quite familiar with absconding in nucleus colonies. The cluster 
leaves with the queen, only a few bees left with lots of healthy brood. 
The emerging bees try to repopulate, and usually construct emergency 
queen cells....which is a giveaway because swarming would have had swarm 
cells present, and a larger population remaining. In an abscond, only 
very young, newly emerged bees are in the cavity.

 From what you describe, I would say it may have been something other 
than absconding...but I'm not familiar with TBHs.
Mike


On 7/16/2012 11:01 AM, Catherine Adamson wrote:
> Can anyone share their experience with absconding of well established
> colonies?  What causes do you see most commonly?  What does the comb look
> like afterwards?
>    

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