> Seeley (1978) reported that 79% of queens survived for one year in
unmanaged colonies, 26% for 2 years, and no queen survived 3 years.

Kleinschmidt in Australia reported that a queen is generally good for two
major colony buildups in her lifetime.  For example, the first major
buildup in spring, then a second buildup in founding a new colony after
swarming.  She would then be superseded, being replaced by a daughter queen
which would then repeat the process.

As far as I can tell, this is the "natural" progression of queen longevity.
 I wouldn't expect managed queens to be more long lived.

--
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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