Tiny prime swarm or what ?

[monarda]

I couldn't help but take a quick peek at a swarm that was caught a couple of days ago in bait box and placed that evening in a nuc. It only covers a couple of frames , ah a small caste I deduced but on closer look saw eggs ( I was lucky to have some drawn comb to give them ) and lo and behold there she was! A beautiful laying queen. So my questions are is it common to have such small prime swarms or indeed is it not a prime one but something else ? Also is it possible to estimate the age of a queen ? Thanks as usual for any input.
Dave

 

[Erichalfbee]

They could have been depleted by exposure outside for a few days
I hope you’re feeding them.

 

[monarda]

They could have been depleted by exposure outside for a few days
I hope you’re feeding them.

Yep I gave them a frame of stores and pollen patty and lime and brambles are flowering round here at the moment . So , can I check that Ive got this right Dani. A larger prime swarm could of left a colony and ended up who knows where for a period of time and whilst awaiting for scouts to find a des. res. ( my bait box) they fell foul of the weather ( we have had some pretty heavy showers) ?

 

[monarda]

They could have been depleted by exposure outside for a few days
I hope you’re feeding them.

ps . would you give them a quick varroa treatment now Dani?

 

[Erichalfbee]

No I wouldn’t.

 

[Ian123]

Could have absconded from a beekeepers mating nuc.

 

[Vortex]

I picked up a prime swarm from a wild colony 2 weeks ago .. barely the size of a tennis ball.. nice queen and laying nicely.

 

[beeno]

Sounds like it is big enough to become viable. May need to boost with some emerging brood in due course.

 

[monarda]

Thanks for your thoughts Ian,Vortex and Beeno-much appreciated.
Dave

 

[Erichalfbee]

I picked up a prime swarm from a wild colony 2 weeks ago .. barely the size of a tennis ball.. nice queen and laying nicely.

That reminds me.
Two years ago in April the “wild” bees in the garden swarmed. I guess they were a prime
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hed63x29y47rl3y/Video garden swarm.mp4?dl=0

 

[gmonag]

That's not a swarm, it's a Covid-compliant social gathering.

 

[Repwoc]

Lovely sound track Dani.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Lovely sound track Dani.

Springtime!

 

[E&MBees]

That reminds me.
Two years ago in April the “wild” bees in the garden swarmed. I guess they were a prime
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hed63x29y47rl3y/Video garden swarm.mp4?dl=0

What tree have they gathered in? The flowers are very pretty.

 

[Erichalfbee]

It’s a flowering plum of some kind. Don’t know the variety. It was here when we moved in.

 

[beeno]

No problems spotting the Q there. What did you do with them?

 

[Erichalfbee]

I made a nuc up and popped her into an introduction cage.
I still have her.
There are more bees in the “wild” box

 

[Swarm]

I made a nuc up and popped her into an introduction cage.
I still have her.
There are more bees in the “wild” box

The best part!!

 

[Erichalfbee]

The best part!!

Aren’t we all softies?
I saw them in the air. They must have been a last desperate attempt to survive. I can’t get into the wild box so don’t know what happened in there. Starvation? Those few bees did well for her and saved their genes.

 

[Swarm]

Nothing wrong with being a softy, better than being a commercial wannabe.