virgin or not, queen with swarm?

[justme]

Hi,
I picked up a swarm 10 days ago. I assumed it wuld have been a caste/secondary swarm, partly cos although reasonable size 31/2 OSB frames, it was fairly late in season.

When I checked them over this w/e , 8 days since collection, I found 1 & 2 day old eggs, didn't see the queen so presumably unmarked.

As this is my first swarm I am wondering whether this would mean it was not a virgin queen? I didn't expect eggs so soon. Not complaining tho:.)

Di:.)

 

[Chris Luck]

There 's no reason why a caste or secondary swarm can't have a newly mated queen with them, seems to happen all the time in my experience and will also occur with a second caste, (3rd swarm), as well.

Main thing I would have thought is that you've got eggs / brood.

Chris

 

[Erichalfbee]

I haven't checked them yet but there is pollen going into a swarm I caught and hived 7 days ago. Though I read on here that pollen going in doesn't always mean there is brood.
I will have a look at the end of the week if it stops raining.

 

[oliver90owner]

seems to happen all the time in my experience and will also occur with a second caste, (3rd swarm), as well.

Can you please explain how this happens (as you are used to it and the rest of are not)?

RAB

 

[Midland Beek]

There 's no reason why a caste or secondary swarm can't have a newly mated queen with them,

??????

Second swarms by default are headed by a virgin queen.

Appearance of eggs after less than a week would suggest that the swarm came with a mated queen. Matings, however, can be quick if the weather is very good, but perhaps not that quick.

 

[milkermel]

thanks for the clarification i was wondering the same sort of thing!

 

[MuswellMetro]

thanks for the clarification i was wondering the same sort of thing!

It might not have come direct from a hive, i had my eyes on a small swarm 50ft up a tree for two weeks, it eventual came down to a freinds bait hive when it rained, laying within three days...glad I did catched them, they are bees from the darkside..straight for the eyes