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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 16 Jan 2004 18:40:48 EST
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In a message dated 16/01/04 05:03:36 GMT Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> I have looked at the archives and am confused. I was told that supercedure
> queens are better than swarm queens. Which is right?
>
>

Either or both depending on circumstances. A swarm queen will have received
optimum nutrition, but so will most supersedure queens with the possible
exception of induced emergency supersedure.  But a swarm queen may carry genes that
are more inclined the make her swarm than a supersedure queen is. If this is a
relevant factor in your beekeeping you should take it into account.  The
tendancy to supersede rather than to swarm is inherited and can be valuable and
sought after, depending on your style of beekeeping.

If you are into queen rearing as a hobby or a business, then managed
swarminess is an asset as those bees tend to rear more queen cells well.  If you want
to avoid swarming problems and to rear just a few of your own queens, letting
some achieve their natural life span, then supersedure is what you should
seek.

Chris

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