Queen bee attendants

The following is opinion, backed by personal observation.

I wonder what the rationale is in selecting *certain* bees for attendants in the cages? It seems to me that it doesn't matter, since I have never selected the bees other than to avoid real old looking ones, and there weren't any problems. Their function in the cages, it seems to me, is not clear but relates more to morale than anything else.

The queen can survive on the candy for days without the attendants (given a drop or two of water from time to time). I was told this by a queen breeder and have verified it. I think the best method is to cage the queens without attendants and include loose bees in the shipping package, but it is messy.

Banking queens is another topic upon which people will probably disagree. Experiences vary as to the length of time one can bank queens, and if they are harmed by it. A beekeeper once told me not to "abuse your prerogatives". The more unnatural the situation, the greater the chance things will go wrong. Something that worked once may not work again.

Peter
Ithaca NY
U S A