Thanks, Dave.

>>Largest?? they only get large later
When emerged they are only slightly larger
than  workers.  Many times only recognizable
as Q after a close look

I have looked at virgins before and thought I could see size differences albeit small.  When they mature and start laying, I believe, it's primarly the abdomen that gets longer and fatter.  I am not positive the initial size impression correlates to the queen's larger size later on.  Although I remember reading somewhere where they had a table showing different queen weights after emergence.  They said a virgin's weight (~200 g plus was best if I recall) was an indicator of how many ovaries would become functional affecting how many eggs she could lay.

>>If the cages go on too early they (workers) "dig" underneath
Worse if bees entrapped in cage, quick excavation then
if comb is mostly yellow they even go thru mid rib
2 days before or less is best.

I make wire mesh cages with long walls that reach down to the mid-rib.  [Since I use plastic frames, workers can't get into the cages.]  This way I can cage the queen cells as soon as they are sealed.

>>A few honey cells should be under each cage

Excellent point.  I've seen queens drink out of honey cells when not fed by workers.

Regards,

Waldemar

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