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Subject:
From:
Tim Damon <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Discussion of Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 7 May 1997 23:25:22 -0400
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  This evening I checked on three packages that I installed last Sunday,
and three splits that I made at the same time. First of all I had to
release five of the six queens from their cages. In each case the candy
plug was eaten away and the tending bees were entering and exiting the cage
with no restriction, but the queen was staying in. Now this in itself would
not worry me even though I have had to release only one queen out of about
50 - 60 in the past few years. I would have just figured that they would
have all made there way out tomorrow and I was just lending a hand. However
the sixth queen was found on the top of the frames with a circle of
attending bees, she was quite dead. The thing that I found odd was the fact
that I found three small patches of eggs each about 1 - 2  inches in
diameter, and each on a different frame. This was a new package, so she had
to have laid them. What could have happened to her? I am worried as these
three packages and the three queens all came from the same supplier. I also
noticed what I would consider excessive spotting on the outside of the
hives of the three packages. I may be a little paranoid, however I am
wondering if I have a problem with these six hives. Has anyone ever noticed
if the ability of the queen to release reflect at all on her
quality/health. What's up with the spotting? These packages were shaken in
Georgia, USA  last Thursday (so I'm told), so they should have been
packaged only three to four days. And why would a queen die on top of the
frames like that? I'm puzzled by all of this. All of my overwintered hives
and packages installed 3 weeks ago are doing great. Those earlier packages
(6) came from a different supplier. Any ideas?
 
Thanks, Tim Damon
             Ann Arbor, MI - USA

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