During supersedure, the old queen's behavior and pheromone signaling play a crucial role in initiating the process. As the old queen's pheromone levels decline, worker bees detect this and begin constructing supersedure cells to raise new queens. Once these new queens are nearly ready to emerge, the old queen typically leaves the hive, taking approximately half of the colony with her, which results in a swarming event. This natural process ensures the colony's survival by replacing the old queen with a new, more viable one.
Key Points Explained:
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Old Queen's Role in Supersedure:
- The old queen's declining pheromone levels signal to the worker bees that her reproductive capacity is waning. This pheromone reduction is a key trigger for the workers to initiate supersedure.
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Construction of Supersedure Cells:
- Worker bees respond to the old queen's reduced pheromones by building special cells known as supersedure cells. These cells are designed to raise new queens, ensuring the colony's continuity.
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Emergence of New Queens:
- As the new queens near the end of their development within the supersedure cells, the old queen prepares to leave the hive. This timing is critical to prevent conflict between the old and new queens.
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Swarming Event:
- When the new queens are ready to emerge, the old queen departs the hive, taking about half of the colony with her. This mass exodus is known as swarming, a natural method for colony reproduction and expansion.
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Colony Survival and Continuity:
- Supersedure and the subsequent swarming event are essential for the colony's survival. They allow for the replacement of an aging queen with a new, more fertile one, ensuring the colony's long-term viability.
Understanding these steps provides insight into the complex and highly organized behavior of honeybee colonies, particularly during critical events like supersedure. For more detailed techniques on raising new queens, you might explore methods such as bee queen grafting.
Summary Table:
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Old Queen's Role | Declining pheromone levels signal reduced reproductive capacity. |
| Supersedure Cells | Worker bees build special cells to raise new queens. |
| New Queens' Emergence | Old queen leaves the hive as new queens near readiness. |
| Swarming Event | Old queen departs with half the colony, ensuring colony reproduction. |
| Colony Survival | Replaces the old queen with a new, more fertile one for long-term viability. |
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