Somehow, I think it will be today

Ladies in waiting -- Queen cell surrounded by workers

The observation hive with two sealed queen cells has been in position in the office for almost a week and since I will be at meetings today, I suspect I am going to miss the fun of the emerging queen.

Since they haven’t torn down either of the queen cells, they may well swarm when the first emerges — or there could be a right royal battle between the two virgins.

In the picture the queen cell (not a huge one) is dead centre surrounded by workers who may well be trying to keep the virgin inside for the moment. The small kidney-shaped object to the left is pollen in a bee’s pollen basket. I’m not sure what pollen that is, but it’s about the only type of pollen coming in at the moment.

You can read the story of the installation here.

Vita’s Guest Beekeeper Blogger