Queen Marking (not so gently)

[Mike a]

Took these pictures yesterday at a meeting.
It was only when I got home and uploaded the pictures to my PC I noticed the queens thorax had been dented when she was marked.
Thought I'd pass on the pictures and warn any other bee keepers when marking their queens to test their pen first before hand and do not press so hard that the queens thorax is left dented.

Looks perfectly normal ?

Look again at the thorax

 

[grahambee]

Will she die?

 

[dpearce4]

how come u marked blue. thought this years colour was white?

 

[VEG]

Well you must have pressed quite hard never had this happen before.

 

[Mike a]

how come u marked blue. thought this years colour was white?

Owner decided to remark the 2010 queen.

Well you must have pressed quite hard never had this happen before.

Not guilty, I don't mark my queens and I was taking the pictures.

 

[VEG]

lol dont let them near the pen again then

 

[Winker]

how come u marked blue. thought this years colour was white?

Colour is down to what ever suits you best, i use white as i can spot it more easy, regadless of the year

 

[drstitson]

the key to using those pens is to prime well on edge of hive and then dab the wet paint onto the queen, not actually press the tip of the pen against her.

 

[Browntea]

My mentor uses modelers paint, tiny little pot, he dips a match into the lid as not to put too much paint on the match then dabs it on her...job done 

 

[huntsman666]

If that is the pen Thorne's supply the tip is sprung loaded so such damage shouldn't happen unless the tip wasn't pressed a few time on another object to make sure it wasn't stuck with dried paint.

 

[Tom Bick]

the key to using those pens is to prime well on edge of hive and then dab the wet paint onto the queen, not actually press the tip of the pen against her.

Yes and don’t leave the pen in the hot sun when looking for HRH because when you come to press the nib on the frame you spray a load of paint out of the end of the pen.

Last week had a bee flying round the hive with a perfectly painted blue abdomen and a couple others inside the hive.

I did this despite someone posting the very same situation.

 

[Gardenbees]

A slim paintbrush is nicer to use - but one of mine still looks like a Jackson ******* masterpiece (although apparently none the worse for it). Trouble is, if you press on them you risk harming/denting them, if you don't, you risk the wriggle factor.

 

[susbees]

Did you take a before shot? Just checking it wasn't damage during a previous inspection being a 2010 queen...

 

[plumberman]

Personally I think this is a trick of the light. If thorax was damaged to that extent (and that would take a lot of pressure) it would not be compatable with life,

 

[RoseCottage]

What components are in the Thorax?

It looks dented to me but I would agree with the life threatening scenario if I actually understood the impact of such damage.

Sam

 

[Erichalfbee]

What components are in the Thorax?

That made me smile sorry, the idea of my heart being a component!

Flight muscles mainly?

 

[JC Bees]

At least you got the paint onto the right place. Our attempt resulted in a queen punk with paint every where. She still alive though and laying quite happily.

 

[MrB]

Don't be too suprised if she is superceded!