The striking thing about ground swarms is the tight circle they form - there
is a very definite edge, an almost perfect circular shape, no loosening of
the cohesive impule on the outer fringe.  So I was surprised when Bob found
no queen - something was maintaining cohesion.  I have usually found either
an old queen or a small virgin. I have concluded it is just a matter of the
swarm flying and a weak queen being able to go no further, so she just
drops.  Could a small virgin have got thru the excluder?
Robin Dartington

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