The presence or absence of Escort Bees fundamentally alters the chemical signals presented to the host colony during introduction. While these attendants are essential for the queen's survival during transport, their continued presence during introduction can introduce foreign pheromones that may trigger defensive behavior in the host colony.
Core Takeaway Removing Escort Bees optimizes acceptance by eliminating foreign worker scents that can confuse the host colony or trigger aggression. However, this biological advantage must be carefully weighed against the physical risk of accidentally releasing or injuring the queen while attempting to remove the attendants.
The Biological Impact of Escort Bees
The Pheromone Conflict
When introducing a queen, the primary goal is to acclimate the colony to her specific pheromone signature.
Escort bees carry the scent of their original hive.
According to standard protocols, these foreign pheromones can act as an irritant. They may trigger an aggressive response from the host colony, potentially jeopardizing the queen's safety before she is even released.
Optimizing Colony Focus
The host colony needs to direct its attention toward caring for the new queen.
When foreign workers (escorts) are present, the host bees may become distracted by the need to defend the hive against these "intruders."
By removing the escorts, you allow the host workers to focus exclusively on the new queen. This clear signal helps streamline the integration process and often results in higher acceptance rates.
The Role of the Cage and Candy
Safe Integration
Regardless of whether escorts are present, the queen cage is the primary mechanism for safety.
It provides a physical barrier that prevents immediate rejection or "balling" (attacking) of the queen.
The Time-Release Mechanism
The queen candy acts as a timer.
Worker bees from both inside and outside the cage consume the candy over a period of two to three days.
This delay is critical. It allows the new queen's pheromones to disperse throughout the hive, unifying the colony's scent before physical contact occurs.
Understanding the Trade-offs
The Risk of Removal
While the primary reference highlights the biological benefits of removing escorts, you must consider the physical risks.
Attempting to open the cage to release attendants creates a moment of high vulnerability.
There is a significant risk that the queen may fly away or be accidentally crushed during this manipulation. If you are inexperienced or working in poor conditions, the risk of losing the queen often outweighs the benefit of removing the escorts.
When Escorts are Necessary
Escorts are not strictly negative; they perform a vital function during transit.
They groom, feed, and hydrate the queen when she is separated from a colony.
If the queen has been in the cage for an extended period without a host colony, the escorts ensure she remains viable and healthy until the moment of introduction.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
Deciding whether to remove the escorts depends on your confidence in handling the queen versus your concern for acceptance rates.
- If your primary focus is Optimizing Acceptance: Remove the escort bees to eliminate foreign pheromones and minimize the chance of aggression from the host colony.
- If your primary focus is Handling Safety: Leave the escort bees inside the cage to avoid the high risk of the queen flying off or being injured during manipulation.
Ultimately, while a cleaner pheromone signal is technically superior, a live queen with escorts is always better than a lost queen with none.
Summary Table:
| Feature | With Escort Bees | Without Escort Bees |
|---|---|---|
| Pheromone Signal | Foreign scents may trigger aggression | Pure queen pheromones for faster bonding |
| Acceptance Rate | Lower; host bees may attack intruders | Higher; host bees focus solely on the queen |
| Handling Risk | Low; no cage manipulation required | High; risk of queen escape or injury |
| Primary Purpose | Essential for queen survival in transit | Maximizing acceptance in the host colony |
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References
- John W. Rhodes, S. Harden. Queen honey bee introduction and early survival ? effects of queen age at introduction. DOI: 10.1051/apido:2004028
This article is also based on technical information from HonestBee Knowledge Base .
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