On 16 May 97 at 9:14, James C. King wrote: Introducing Virgin Queens > cells because of rain. The cells emerged in protectors in my incubator. > The following day I introduced them directly to two frames nucs above > division boards. Acceptance appears poor. I would appreciate any advice > on introducing virgin queens. thanks. The introduction of virgin queens is one of the trickiest manipulations for a keeper to perform.....consistently. Failures can often be traced to the ignoring of a 'Golden rule'. It is simply "Like replaces Like" explanation:- If the hive is recently de-queened and still has open brood and eggs, don't try to introduce a virgin, you could introduce a laying queen, but not a virgin. The hive configuration has to be as Mother Nature intended virgins to be in a hive, all sealed brood, after swarming is the ideal time, before mating. One way that I use to introduce a virgin. Make up a nuc even with eggs, when the emergency cells are ready to emerge, cut them out, shake the bees up, when they roar run a virgin in the front door. The bees are waiting for a virgin to emerge, and so will accept the new one without question. Another way. Make up a nuc, wait 4 days, cut out emergency cells, now introduce a virgin in a cage, the bees will eat her out. One more. Make up a nuc, make absolutely certain there is no open brood, eggs or larvae, wait 24 hours, spray the bees and new queen with sugar syrup flavoured with one of the strong food flavourings, vanilla, etc. The bees are so busy cleaning up that they accept the virgin easily. Of course the very best way is for the virgin to emerge within the nuc. But even here troubles can arise. If the bees are not queenless for any length of time they will sometimes break down the cell, then the ideal way is to use a cell protector every time and play safe, as they never kill an emerged virgin. It never ceases to amaze me how many keepers use unprotected cells, just to save 10cents on cell protectors. In this case perhaps the author should have got his umbrella out and prevented all his problems. ********************************************************* The Bee Works, 9 Progress Drive Unit 2, Orillia, Ontario, Canada. L3V 6H1 David Eyre, Owner. Phone/Fax 705 326 7171 Dealers for E.H.Thorne & B.J.Sherriff UK http://www.muskoka.net/~beeworks *********************************************************