So I was able to do a hive inspection this week, and saw this on one of the outer frames. It looks like the makings of a queen cup to me, no?
For background info, hive was started 4/28 with a package of purebred russian bee's from Kelley Bee's. About half of the frames were already drawn comb from last year's hive (robbed out, total loss), about half were new frames (wax coated foundation).
My questions is, is it possible this is a queen cup? Given the age (new install from a package), is it possible? 10-frame deeps, there's a lotta room in there... but if it is a queen, that s'ok by me, I have another hive (just haven't put it together yet!). I was actually hoping to split this hive, just didn't think it would be possible this year. Added a 2nd hive body during the inspection I took this pic. The inner frames were well covered w/ capped honey and brood, outer frames were as you see, mostly open (starting to save some honey it looks like). Good mix of larvae throughout the one hive body, some single cells, some grains of rice, some developed, some capped. Queen seems to be healthy and laying, despite the fact I haven't seen her since I set her on top of the frames the day I installed the package. Hive is in a rural location, lots of tree's in the area, limited flowers (mostly wooded for miles, some grassland/pasture). I notice sugar consumption seemed to drop off, so I removed hive feeder and put inner cover on w/ queen excluder and outer cover. Might try to put a super on towards the end of season if possible, but mostly concerned w/ health of the hive, and getting all my frames with drawn comb. Honey can come next year, I need the hive healthy for the fall, a dearth is likely coming for much of the summer months. A split opportunity would be welcome, but not if it risks the health of the hive. I can split it next year!
Thanks for the advice!
- Kevin
