When Marking Queens we found that in observational hives the marks
were gone.  Superceding was not the case.  When we clipped the wings it showed
that it was still the same queen without the markings or numbers.
       Clipping the very edges of the back and end gives a V cut.  We needed
different types of clipping to be sure that we were on the same queen.
       The reason that the marking/clipping was so important is that we were
watching for swarming.
       Never got clear answer to the question we were studying: IF THE QUEEN
MATES WITH AND SAVES THE SPERM FROM MANY DIFFERENT DRONES.  THEN AS SHE RUNS
OUT AND CHANGES DRONE SPERM CREATING HALF SISTERS IN THE HIVE DO THE BEES
SEPARATE IN THE HIVE.  GROUPS OF BEES SEPARATE TO THE SAME DRONE FATHER, THUS
CAUSING SUPERCEDURE AND SWARMING?
       Michael Housel                   Orlandobee

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