Strange swarm

[Woodland bees]

One of my hives swarmed on the 22nd May, leaving behind open Q cells. After a couple of checks I left a single sealed Q cell which appeared to hatch at the start of June.

Today they swarmed again and on inspecting the hive there were four sealed Q cells but all were empty.

As it was starting to rain I only did a quick check and there doesn't seem to be any eggs or larvae in the hive.

This puzzles me, it seems they've built dud q cells and swarmed when the new queen has not started laying. Can anyone advise what might be going on?

I've caught the swarm and I'll give both colonies a good inspection when the weather improves and probably merge them, I'm just curious to know why they swarmed a 2nd time.

 

[Murox]

probably just a cast swarm, you probably missed a q cell first time around, and have destroyed their backup cells. I expect you will need to add a frame of brood when you unite to help keep them together. OR frame of eggs as a test frame.

 

[Woodland bees]

The four sealed, empty, cells were not missed last time as they were very obvious. They've been made after the original Q cell has hatched or been broken down.

Seems strange they've swarmed if there's no viable Q cells left, I'll have a thorough check in the next couple of days as the weather looks better.

 

[coatesg]

I found a couple of empty QCs on a frame for a colony (caught swarm) that I believe to be superceding. They've torn down another couple that I assume were charged, but left those two. BIAS present, but odd nonetheless.

 

[eltalia]

It is interesting indeed there were 4 duds, one is common but four is unusual.
But yes, cast swarm and another virgin in the BC... weather being the influencer.
Do your stuff when recombining.

Bill

 

[Woodland bees]

Well, weather being better I've inspected the swarm and the colony it came from. Small Qs in both, so probably virgins still. Normally I leave two sealed Q cells and don't have a problem with casts but this time I thought I had just left one and I get a cast.

I'll see if they both mate successfully before deciding what to do next. We have loads of swallows and hornets about so I'm not sure how good their chances are!