Worker bees select the larvae from which the queens are developed. There are 3 important reasons why worker bees produce queens: swarming, queen superscedure and emergency queen replacement. As a result, the colony builds different queen cells, which care be identified by the beekeepers. Every queen cell presents distinctive signs that can be interpreted by the beekeepers and managed correctly.
How to identify the 3 types of queen cells?
Swarm cells
Before a honey bee swarm leaves alongside the old queen, various queen cells are built. The cells are called swarm cells, being part of the swarm preparations. You can notice the cells hanging on the edges of the frame, along the bottom bars or the side bars. The beekeeper must take action fast to prevent the swarm.
Supercedure cells
Mostly located on the face of the comb, they are produced when the colony decides to replace their old queen so as the new one to supersede her. The beekeeper shouldn’t take any action and hope for a successful result. This scenario needs to be carefully watched, to prevent the colony from becoming queen-less.
Emergency queen cells
The emergency sets in when the colony remains without a queen. In need of a new queen, emergency cells are built anywhere on the comb, where there are young larva. They are located half in a brood cell and half hanging over the edge.
Bees are great doers! Just be ready to support them along the way.
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Happy beekeeping!
