>
>
> > The response to introduced virgin queens was particularly interesting.
>
> What is missing here is information about the introduced virgins.  Had
> they hatched in colonies and acquired their scent?  Were they hatched in
> incubators?  Or were they run in as they hatched from queen cells?
>
>
In my experience,

For a few seasons I was introducing virgin queens into mating nucs with
smoke, sugar syrup spray and (the best way) spraying frames with honey
syrupp. In the last two seasons I found  I can confidently introduce
virgins to the hive straight from my hands.

My virgins were hatched in an incubator. Their body weight ranged from 220
mg to 310 mg. I culled anything less than 220g. I have introduced them from
a few hours old up to 5 days old. I didn't find any difference in
introducing virgins with the variety in age or size.

99% to 100% success rate was totally dependent on the recipient colony.

Cheers

Nikolai F

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