Swarm into existing occupied hive

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smarty

New Bee
Joined
Jul 2, 2022
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Location
Herts
Number of Hives
10
On Thursday I witnessed a large swarm entering an existing occupied hive. The colony in the hive was a split with the overwintered queen that I made about a month ago and was building up nicely.
Has anyone else experienced such a thing and what happens the queens in such a situation?
 

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Yes it happens more often than you think. The queens will fight and you’ll end up with 1………probably!
 
I've heard it referred to as a "usurpation swarm" I do wonder if it's a planned thing as I can't see how scouts can scout the location!
Maybe it's just a swarm pitching on an existing hive & making their way in?
 
I think it’s planned, the hive I presume is checked out before hand. Appears to happen to queen less units more often. In some African races it’s very common indeed! AHB and Capensis the Cape Bee are well known for it.
Also had a cell raising colony last year with 30 plus cells in that a small cast tried to get into.
 
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