30/06/2026
Yesterday I went to check on my new queens.
The first, I am undecided if she has been out on mating flights, her abdomen wasn't as enlarged as it should be but I also feel she's larger than a virgin queen, I'll be giving her another week and checking on hopeful progress.
The second is mated but not yet laying eggs and should be well away anytime.
The third was on fire with a lovely egg laying pattern. So I'm very relieved that 2 of the 3 hives are now queen right, and there's still time for the first queen to be successful ππΌπ₯°
Did you know that a queen will mate, mid air with 10 to 20 drones, sometimes more.... And the drones die, similar with what happens when a bee stings... But with his little bee w***y. Brutal but fascinating.