When does a virgin queen mate?

[Sanctuary]

Apologies in advance if this is numpty questions, but I've read conflicting articles and am now confused.

Some articles I've read suggest that a virgin queen (with a swarm) mates as soon as she has swarmed, before finding a new home.

Other articles suggest it is days or weeks after swarming and finding a new home.

Which way round is it?

 

[clv101]

My understanding is that the virgin queen (having left the original hive with a cast swarm) will not attempt to mate until the swarm has found a new permanent home.

 

[drstitson]

she needs a home to return to for post coital fag.

 

[Castor]

she needs a home to return to for post coital fag.

In front of the telly, Corrie on.....