Two ways to think about queen types
When people search for queen bee types, they usually mean one of two things. The first is the breed or subspecies of the queen, such as Italian or Carniolan. The second is the queen’s origin or status, for example whether she is a virgin, a mated queen, or a queen raised by the colony to replace the old one. Both matter to a beekeeper, and this article covers each.
In most beekeeping, all queens are the same species (compare the races in types of honey bees), the western honey bee (Apis mellifera). Queens and workers also develop from the same kind of fertilized egg, and what makes a larva develop as a queen is mainly a diet of royal jelly.
Queen types by breed
The breed of the queen determines the traits of the workers she produces, since she is the mother of the colony. The descriptions below are general tendencies, and individual colonies vary.
- Italian. Often a first choice for beginners (see Italian bee queens). They tend to be gentle, build up large populations and are productive in warm weather. They may use more winter stores because of their large winter clusters.
- Carniolan. Generally darker, often described as gentle, and quick to build up in spring. They tend to reduce brood rearing when forage is short and are often favored in cooler climates. Some lines are more prone to swarming.
- Russian. Selected from stock originally from the eastern part of Russia and often promoted for resistance to varroa mites. They can be more cautious about brood rearing and may behave differently from Italians.
- Buckfast. A hybrid line developed in England with aims such as gentleness, productivity and low swarming. Performance can vary by line.
- Caucasian. Typically gentle and heavy propolis users. Some beekeepers report slower spring build-up.
- Local mixed stock. Many apiaries end up with bees of mixed genetics. These are sometimes called “local mutts,” and bees that have survived in your area may be well adapted to local conditions.
- Cordovan and other color lines. Some strains are selected partly for appearance, such as a bright golden color, but color is not a guarantee of temperament.
Africanized bees are a separate issue. They are known for strongly defensive behavior, and a beekeeper in an area where they are present should seek local advice.
Queen types by origin
Queens are also described by how they were raised.
- Swarm queens. Raised from queen cells built when the colony prepares to swarm.
- Supersedure queens. Raised to replace a failing queen. These cells tend to be few in number.
- Emergency queens. Raised from young larvae when the queen is suddenly lost. See what happens when the queen bee leaves or dies.
- Purchased or bred queens. Raised by queen producers, often from selected breeding stock. See buying a mated queen bee.
Queen types by status
- Virgin queen. Newly emerged and not yet mated. She is smaller and more active than a laying queen and can be hard to spot.
- Mated queen. Has completed mating flights and is laying fertilized eggs.
- Drone-laying queen. A queen that lays only unfertilized eggs, producing drones, because she did not mate properly or has run out of sperm.
A hive normally has only one mated queen at a time; see how many queens a hive can have for the exceptions.
Why queens look different
Queens can be gold, brown, dark or nearly black. Color varies with breed and with the genetics of the drones she mated with, so color is a poor way to find a queen. More reliable features include her longer abdomen, wings that look short compared with it, and the way workers gather around her. If you cannot tell her from the workers, a paint mark helps; see queen bee marking colors by year.
Choosing a queen
Think about your climate, your goals and your experience. A gentle, productive line is often a sensible start. Ask suppliers or local beekeepers what performs well in your area, and consider queens raised locally.
Frequently asked questions
Is the queen bee the only female? No. Worker bees are female too. The queen is the colony’s main egg layer.
How many queen bees are there? A normal colony has one laying queen, so the number of queens in the world is roughly the number of colonies, plus those being raised.
What is the rarest bee color? There is no single reliable answer, since color varies by breed and by individual.