Queens and Prime Swarms

[Antipodes]

I think it is correct to say that a swarm always has a queen...at least initially?
I also believe that the first or prime swarm contains the older mated queen and subsequent cast swarms a virgin queen or probably not infrequently, multiple virgins. I've certainly seen more than one virgin queen in a cast swarm.
Can it be the case however, that the prime swarm can have the old mated queen and also a virgin queen? I've never seen it but wondered if anyone had or if they know of it?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I also believe that the first or prime swarm contains the older mated queen and subsequent cast swarms a virgin queen

not necessarily, in the case of, say a clipped queen, they would attempt tonswarm, the queen crashes and burns so the bees would return to the hive, wait for the first virgin to emerge and swarm with her, thus a prime swarm headed by a virgin

 

[Antipodes]

not necessarily, in the case of, say a clipped queen, they would attempt tonswarm, the queen crashes and burns so the bees would return to the hive, wait for the first virgin to emerge and swarm with her, thus a prime swarm headed by a virgin

Have you ever come across a swarm with the old queen and a virgin(s)?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Have you ever come across a swarm with the old queen and a virgin(s)?

I can't say I've ever bothered looking - life's too short

 

[Antipodes]

I'd say it doesn't happen. When a swarm has a mated queen in it, it is the only queen in the swarm.