Run, Queen, Run!


Yesterday evening I saw a virgin queen in the observation hive for the first time since this craziness began.  She was running like a wild thing!

IMG_5766

 

The reason soon became apparent.  The bees balled her! Note the condensation on the hive glass.  This point on the glass was considerably hotter than the surrounding surface.

 

IMG_5771

 

This morning I found her on the bottom screen with a few workers attempting to move her carcass out.

Just a side note, After Swarm E occurred today.  I looked out and saw the queen on the landing board.  I attempted to catch her in a queen cage but failed.  We messed with the swarm a couple times and I think we saw the queen return to the hive.  The bees either dispersed or returned to the hive. It was quite small, maybe a cup and a half of bees.