Swarm question

[Andy Coleman]

If a swarm starts drawing comb, is that a sign that a queen, whether virgin or mated, is present? Or might they stay in their new home and draw wax even without a queen?

I've picked up three nice size swarms, one of which I am pretty certain is prime from a known source. But the other two, although I know the apiary from which they came, I can't be sure if either are prime or casts, or if in fact I got the queens. But all three have stayed in their new home and are making wax.

 

[justme]

If they intend to stay they will build comb, whether they always have queen with them I dont know. But they surely wouldn't have swarmed with out one, so she would've had to have been lost when collecting the swarm? Unless she has already been on mating flight that is.

 

[For want of a better word]

'Fraid you just got to be patient and wait for eggs!

 

[Andy Coleman]

Hi - that's my worry with the two swarms, which I didn't collect, and which seem to have been gathered in a bit chaotically and might have missed the queen(s)! Don't want to disturb them too much, so I think I'll just wait for a couple of weeks then do a quick inspection.
I don't remember seeing anything in the books about how a Queenless swarm will behave,
Regards Andy

 

[oliver90owner]

Prime swarms will have brood within a week (probably eggs within 4 days).

The others can be tested for q+ or - with a test frame - two days, at most, for a result.