Nothing compares to the strength and longevity of the queen bee when it comes to beehives. No matter if you’re an expert apiarist or merely a curious beekeeper-in-training, the life cycle of a queen bee is key knowledge. Discover some important facts about a queen bee’s journey from egg to hive leader to better understand your hive’s hierarchy.
From Egg to Larva
The process begins with an existing queen bee laying a fertilized egg in one of the hive’s special queen cells. Unlike regular worker bee eggs, queen eggs are intentionally larger and stand vertically at first.
The egg hatches into a tiny larva within three days. Unlink other larvae, the caretaking bees exclusively feed queen larvae royal jelly, a nutrient-rich substance secreted by worker bees. This nutrient-rich diet of royal jelly guarantees rapid growth, setting queen larvae apart from worker or drone larvae. Though this feeding lasts only five days, it completely alters her development.
From Pupa to Emerging Queen
Once fed, the caretaking bees seal the queen larva in her cell to pupate. During a seven-to-eight-day period, her body undergoes incredible transformations.
Her wings, legs, eyes, and specialized stinger develop to prepare her for a life of regal responsibilities. Around sixteen days after she’s laid as an egg, the new queen bee emerges.
Duel for Dominance
A battle of supremacy ensues if multiple queen bees emerge at the same time. Queens have powerful stingers specifically for this purpose.
The strongest queen will win, asserting her dominance. Though this may sound harsh, this pivotal process guarantees the hive has only one strong and healthy leader.
Mating Flight and Egg Laying
Once victorious, the young queen takes flight to mate with multiple drones from other colonies. This flight is a one-time event but supplies her with enough sperm to fertilize eggs for her entire lifespan.
Upon returning to the hive, the queen bee begins her primary role of laying up to 2,000 eggs per day.
Supporting the Queen Bee
The queen’s health directly impacts the hive’s productivity. Explore The B Farm’s collection of high-quality queen bees for sale online to begin a healthy hive.
Once you’ve acquired a queen, make sure she has enough space to lay eggs and regularly monitor her for signs of aging or illness. Now that you understand the life cycle of a queen bee, from egg to hive leader, you’re ready to create a thriving colony destined for success.