How do Queens kill other Queens??

[garethbryson]

Sorry if this seems to be the question of a real novice, BUT.

I was always led to believe that once a honey bee used its sting it was "good night Irene" for that said honey bee. So i was wondering how a virgin queen would kill another virgin queen in a hive?, or indeed kill another virgin queen that was still in a sealed queen cell??

 

[Hivemaker.]

Queens can sting as often as they wish,but only use there sting on other queens generally,the workers help sort out other queens still in cells by tearing out the side of the cell.

 

[For want of a better word]

Send them to the "Tower" and have others do the dirty work..... sorry that was our monarchy!

 

[Chris B]

Bees only die if they lose the sting. This doesn't happen when they sting each other. I guess skin and flesh in mammals is much tougher to withdraw a barbed sting from.

 

[dale popham]

Am i right in saying the queen sting is not barbed or am i being a plonker

 

[Hivemaker.]

Am i right in saying the queen sting is not barbed or am i being a plonker

No you are correct Dale.

 

[dale popham]

looks like i am getting better at this beekeeping game lol. i think i will start calling myself a beekeeper soon.

 

[kazmcc]

I was told queens don't have barbed stings and will only sting other queens, but during the fight either or both could become damaged so it's best to avoid the situation if possible.....more pearls from my bee intro day lol

I'm glad Hivemaker confirmed this in his post as I've not seen it referred to anywhere.....that I remember anyway