At this time of the year - mid-October - the temperatures here on Long Island are in the high 60's F and low 70's F.  Last weekend I found one of my hives with an unmarked queen and no eggs.  I also saw a number of torn down queen cells.  Since I mark all my queens, this is a virgin queen.

I have heard different opinions about what temperatures are needed for for a virgin to go out on mating flights.  Are low 70's high enough or is this virgin doomed?  I still see drones in my hives.

Thank you!

Waldemar

PS. I have a spare laying queen in a nuc I was planning to overwinter per Mike Palmer's procedure but this virgin looked so big and strong it would be great to have her head up that colony.

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