What Are Queen Cells?
Queen cells are larger, elongated cells, often described as peanut-shaped, in which worker bees raise new queens. They usually hang vertically from the comb surface or edge. They start as small queen cups and are drawn out once the bees place or move an egg or young larva inside. Unlike ordinary worker cells, they face downward, and the larva is fed generously with royal jelly.
The Three Types of Queen Cells
Bees build queen cells for different reasons. Location and number give clues, though they are not always conclusive.
Swarm Cells
Swarm cells are built when a colony is preparing to swarm (see swarm cells in a bee hive). They are typically found along the bottom or edges of frames, and there are often several. They are usually built while the old queen is still present in the hive.
Supersedure Cells
Supersedure cells are built when bees decide to replace a failing or aging queen. There are usually just a few, often one to three, and they tend to be found on the face of the comb rather than the bottom edge.
Emergency Cells
Emergency cells are built when a colony suddenly loses its queen. Bees modify existing worker cells that contain young larvae, so the cells often protrude from the comb face and may look less regular. The colony is often queenless when these are found.
How a Queen Cell Develops
Roughly, a queen develops over about 16 days from egg to emergence. The cell is typically capped around the eighth day after the egg is laid. A few days before emergence the cell is mature, and the virgin queen chews her way out. Timing is approximate and varies. For the larger process, see raising queen bees.
What to Do When You Find Queen Cells
- Check for eggs and larvae. Fresh eggs suggest a laying queen is present; no eggs and no young larvae may indicate the colony is queenless.
- Look at the type. Count cells, note their location, and consider the colony’s size and space.
- Check crowding. A crowded colony with several cells near the bottom may be preparing to swarm. A split or added space can be options.
- Consider timing. Once cells are capped, a swarm may already be imminent or may have left.
- Re-inspect. Check again in about a week, but avoid disturbing the colony when virgin queens are emerging or mating.
What Not to Do
Destroying every queen cell is a common reaction but does not reliably stop swarming, and in a queenless colony it can leave the bees without a way to requeen. Be especially careful before removing cells if you are unsure whether the hive has a laying queen.
What Happens After the Queen Emerges
A virgin queen may fight rival queens or be guarded in her cell by workers. After a few days she takes mating flights. Learn how to confirm success in how to tell if a queen bee has mated.
FAQ
What are bee cells?
Bee cells are the six-sided wax compartments in the comb used for brood and food storage. Queen cells are a different, larger type of cell.
How do bees know who is a queen?
Bees recognize queens by pheromones, and a larva fed royal jelly in a queen cell develops into a queen (how a queen bee is born).
Do bees return to the same nest every year?
Wild or managed colonies that survive generally remain in the same cavity, but swarms leave to find new homes.