The Strange Disappearance of Queens

Queen 

I had checked on the colonies last May 15, 2013. They were all doing well, and building up. It was a bit slower than a "normal" spring because we have had (and still have) a lot of rainy and grey days. Honeybees don't like that kind of weather.

On the last day of May, the 31st. I went again to take a look to make sure the bees were still fine, and there way to a great season. As I opened the first hive in Shakopee, I could not see any eggs! I took every frame out and looked on both sides twice!!! I could not believe my eyes. I thought that can't be possible, the colony looked just fine 2 weeks ago.

Construction of a queen cell

I notice only one queen cup, which was filled with royal jelly. Worker bees build these in preparation to raise a queen. I did not think much of it because sometimes some honeybees, like the Russian bees have this tendency ...to be ready in case the queen fails.

I was still puzzled about not seeing eggs, but thought that maybe my eyes could not see them anymore...they are very small after all. And I know that sometimes I need to use my reading glasses when the print is too fine. I opened up the second hive, the one which has overwintered 4-5 times...our strongest, the one who gives us most of our honey. Same thing again...I did not find any eggs. I was dumbfounded. How could that be... the honeybees looked so beautiful, calm, healthy, very blond, and strong.

Capped queen cells

       However, in this hive there were many capped queen cells on few frames. So, they were raising a new queen..I knew that much.

Raising a new queen is "decided" by the workers. The "outgoing" queen will still lay eggs, then the workers choose a few eggs ( less than 4 day old), and give them a lot of royal jelly, more than they would give a mere worker, or drone (male). This stimulates the development of sexual organs, which workers have but are atrophied and not functioning. Nature had decided to take over, so be it! I won't interfere.

I drove back to Chanhassen, anxious to inspect the other colonies. To my delight the Russian bees were great, collecting pollen and flying around...still I opened the hive...and saw eggs!!! I almost did a pirouette on the spot! What a relief!

Now to the last apiary where I had lost 2 hives. Ben and I had divided both live colonies, to make 2 new hives. I was going to get 2 queens few days later, so I could introduce them to their new homes.

One colony looked strong as I walked towards the row of hives. when I opened it, I was a big smile plastered on my face! Liz was helping me :) That is always a bonus:) We lifted, and moved some boxes.

We opened the next one, and Liz who was working the smoker noticed that the bees were very agitated, she could barely keep up with the smoker! I could not see eggs...not again. This time I ask Liz to take a look at the frames.....SHE could not see any eggs either!!! She does have a younger pair of peepers! I thought: unbelievable! I must have said that 50 times.

Honeybee's eggs (look like grain of rice!)

What a day! From 5 hives which survived the last never ending winter and started well, I only had 2 colonies with a queen!!! This was not a good scenario. But what I thought was very strange was the similarity among the colonies. Why did the queens seemed to have "vanished"? There are many pseudo answers: the queen was sick, she was not laying eggs properly, and worst case..I had crushed her inadvertently. But these explanations did not make sense...there were absolutely no eggs at all. Meaning: It must have been sudden.

I can tell you that I was very sad. I love my bees and try very hard to make them happy.