See: https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/downloads/03-049

"The data demonstrated that 7, 14 and 17 days (21%, 59% and 67% IS 
respectively) are not suitable ages for catching queen bees for 
introduction into established bee colonies immediately on arrival at 
their destination. Introducing queens caught at 21 days provided an IS 
rate of 82% which was improved to 90% for queens caught at 28 days and 
92% for 35 day old."

Also, the average number of spermatozoa present in the spermatheacae was 
generally higher at greater than 14 days.

Also, of interest is that there didn't seem to be any significant 
difference in queen survival when shipped via 2 day service vs 3 day. 
(So save your money)

There are other interesting tidbits in the study and as it always seems 
to be for bees, results from queen to queen vary more  than the averages 
between each group.    However, in generally most measurements indicate 
a longer time in the mating nucs is a good thing.

On the note of shipping... anyone else having slow shipping on Express 
Mail recently?   Nearly 90% of the express mail shipments we send have 
been late arriving.

-Tim

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