> Aaron Morris wrote: to my surprise, the marked queen came to the top of
the frames and
> promptly  flew off!  In all my years I've never seen such a thing.  .

I keep mini-nucs in Apideas all summer as a teaching aid with children.  The
boxes are moved a distance before opening in order to lose the flyers and
leave only young bees. The queens can only lay few eggs and are always slim.
They can fly off if frightened - as they might be if they happened to be on
a top bar when any hive is suddenly opened.   They sound like drones in
flight - quite noisy.  They always seem to return within minutes if the box
is left slightly open. I doubt they use their eyes to return - more likely
scents - bees have increduly sensitive scent recognition.

Robin Dartington

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