Congestion, Seasonal Cycle and Queen Rearing as They Relate to Swarming in Apis mellifera L.1

Abstract

Honey bee ( Apis mellifera L.) colonies were allowed to expand in population and then reduced in hive size by 1/4 or 1/2. Reduction of hive size did not lead to a higher incidence of colony swarming. One half of 3 frame observation colonies allowed to expand normally in population swarmed although a greater number began raising queens. When queen cells were placed in queenless colonies, 76% developed to virgin queens as expected. Queen cells protected by queen excluder cage in queenright colonies also produced a high incidence (37%) of virgin queens. Only 2 unprotected queen cells produced virgin queens and both were in a colony superseding its queen. Thus, although queen rearing is a necessary behavior for swarming, it does not invariably lead to it.