The presence of a queen in a hive can be determined through several key indicators without necessarily spotting the queen herself. The most reliable sign is the presence of eggs and brood in various stages of development, indicating a laying queen. However, if no queen is present, the hive will exhibit specific behaviors and changes, such as a decline in the amount of brood, the construction of supersedure cells, and food being stored in brood cells. Other signs outside the hive include reduced pollen collection and bees milling aimlessly. It's also important to note that a queenless hive may initially appear normal but will soon show signs of queenlessness.

Key Points Explained:

1. Presence of Eggs and Brood:

   • The most definitive sign of a queen is the presence of eggs, larvae, and capped brood in the comb cells.
   • This confirms that a queen is actively laying eggs and maintaining the hive's reproductive cycle.
   • You don't need to see the queen, just evidence of her recent laying activity.

2. Queen's Physical Characteristics:

   • A queen bee has a distinctive appearance compared to worker bees.
   • Look for a long, narrow abdomen with a pointed end, while worker bees have rounded abdomens.
   • The queen's wings are shorter, reaching only halfway down her abdomen, unlike worker bees whose wings nearly reach the end of their bodies.

3. Signs of a Queenless Hive:

   • Progressive Loss of Brood: The amount of brood in the hive will gradually decrease as existing larvae mature and no new eggs are laid.
   • Appearance of Supersedure Cells: Workers may build supersedure cells in an attempt to raise a new queen, particularly if the existing queen is failing.
   • Food Stored in the Brood Nest: Nurse bees may start storing nectar and pollen in brood cells, indicating a disruption in the normal brood-rearing activities.
   • Laying Workers: In the absence of a queen, some worker bees may start laying eggs, but these eggs are typically unfertilized and will only produce drones.
   • Reduced Pollen Collection: There may be less pollen being brought into the hive, as the hive's activities become disorganized.
   • Aimless Milling: Bees may appear to mill around aimlessly on the entry board or inside the hive, lacking a clear sense of purpose.
   • Droning Tone: Tapping on the hive may produce a characteristic "droning" sound, different from the usual hum of a queenright hive.

4. Initial Appearance of a Queenless Hive:

   • A newly queenless hive may initially appear normal.
   • There may be brood in all stages of development, an average number of drones, and workers behaving normally.
   • However, these signs will change within a few days as the hive recognizes the absence of the queen.

5. Reasons for Queen Replacement:

   • Emergency: Occurs due to the sudden loss of the queen.
   • Swarming: Happens when the hive is overcrowded, and a new queen is raised before the hive swarms.
   • Supersedure: Occurs when the existing queen is failing due to age, disease, or injury.

6. Queen Cell Appearance:

   • A sealed queen cell may show signs of being 'crowned' with a thin, darkened ring around the tip, indicating that emergence is imminent.

7. Queen Marking:

   • Beekeepers may mark queens to easily identify them during inspections.
   • Methods include using fingers, push-in queen marking cages, queen marking tubes, or queen marking pens.
   • Materials include Tipp-Ex, Humbrol Enamel paints, and Posca water-based art pens.

8. Tools and Equipment:

   • While checking the hive, use a hive brush to gently move bees and inspect the combs.
   • Be careful not to injure the queen during inspections.

Summary Table:

Need help assessing your hive? Contact our beekeeping experts today!