what happened next......

[Cuckmere couple]

so scenario as follows

a few weeks back a double brood colony with a 4 year old queen had a 2-3 q cups with eggs which i knocked back...

didnt check the bottom box and left for 2-3 weeks

a week ago, i couldn't see any brood, no eggs, no queen....added a frame of eggs - a bit baffled as i knew they wouldnt have left themselves hopelessly queenless, and sure i hadnt knocked back their last chance to re-queen

yesterday....no q cells and still no eggs, brood or queen

what happened next? (mystery was solved but want to see where others minds would go)

 

[The Poot in Somerset]

You witnessed a virgin queen mating flight/return?

 

[Cuckmere couple]

You witnessed a virgin queen mating flight/return?

nope

there is an explanation which i was hoping some experienced people would spot...

 

[Curly green finger's]

You missed a qc maybe superseded?

 

[Murox]

Well for my money - you say you didn't look in the bottom box - so maybe the old girl was just having a brood break or you missed queen cells down below - either way you now have brood in evidence and still cant see you queen. I don't mind being poked !!

 

[user 819]

You missed a QC in the bottom box as this wasn't inspected, left to their own devices whether one or more were produced they dealt with it naturally without interference. Either the old Q has now entered bee heaven, mother and daughter for now are present or they may have swarmed and if clipped the old Q is under the floor.

I run double brood and also have missed a QC/QC's by not inspecting the bottom box once July arrive, esp when I see good brood pattern and marked Q in upper box. With no QC's in upper box I tend to negate going down stairs. Having clipped Q's I try and negate loosing a swarm.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

all good suggestions, but not quite right yet

a schoolboy error must have occurred a few weeks back when i inspected (is a clue and will give a more obvious one shortly)

 

[Murox]

all good suggestions, but not quite right yet

a schoolboy error must have occurred a few weeks back when i inspected (is a clue and will give a more obvious one shortly)

So you trapped her upstairs in super and never looked in it until now and found brood and queen.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

So you trapped her upstairs in super and never looked in it until now and found brood and queen.

Exactly

spot on

couldn't believe it

shes now down below and super is being left above QE for brood to hatch