The international standard for marking queen bees utilizes a specific five-color rotation based on the final digit of the year the queen was born. This system ensures uniformity across the beekeeping industry, allowing for immediate visual identification of a queen's age.
The standardized cycle is: White (years ending in 1 or 6), Yellow (2 or 7), Red (3 or 8), Green (4 or 9), and Blue (5 or 0).
By adhering to this fixed five-year rotation, beekeepers can instantly assess a queen's age and productivity potential without checking records. This simple visual aid is critical for effective hive management and timely re-queening decisions.
Understanding the Five-Year Rotation
The system is designed to track a queen's lifespan, which rarely exceeds five years in a productive commercial setting. By linking the color to the last digit of the year, the code repeats every half-decade.
The Color-Year Schedule
The color correspondence is rigid and does not change based on region. The schedule is strictly defined as follows:
- White: Years ending in 1 and 6 (e.g., 2021, 2026).
- Yellow: Years ending in 2 and 7 (e.g., 2022, 2027).
- Red: Years ending in 3 and 8 (e.g., 2023, 2028).
- Green: Years ending in 4 and 9 (e.g., 2024, 2029).
- Blue: Years ending in 5 and 0 (e.g., 2025, 2030).
A Mnemonic for Recall
Because remembering an arbitrary color sequence can be difficult in the field, beekeepers use a mnemonic phrase based on the first letter of each color.
The standard phrase is: "What, You Raise Green Bees?"
This corresponds to White, Yellow, Red, Green, Blue. Memorizing this sentence ensures you always apply the correct color for the current year.
Application and Safety Considerations
While knowing the color is the first step, the method of application is equally critical. The goal is visibility without compromising the health of the queen.
Material Selection
You must use markers specifically designed for this purpose. Water-based acrylic paint markers are the industry standard because they are generally low in toxicity and safe for insects.
Avoid standard permanent markers found in office supply stores unless verified as non-toxic. Solvents in standard markers can be harmful or fatal to the queen.
Precision Application
The paint must be applied only to the queen's thorax (the middle section).
Markers should feature a soft tip of an appropriate size. This allows for a gentle, "single touch" application that deposits enough pigment to be vibrant but prevents excess paint from running into the queen's joints or spiracles (breathing holes).
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Even with the correct color, application errors can jeopardize the hive.
Over-marking
Applying too much paint can hinder the queen's movement or sensory abilities. A heavy-handed application may cause the paint to smear onto her wings or head.
The "Ball" Risk
If a queen is returned to the hive while the paint is still wet or smells strongly of solvent, the worker bees may reject her. This often leads to "balling," where workers attack and kill the queen.
Ensure the mark is dry and the marker used is low-odor to minimize this risk.
Making the Right Choice for Your Management Goals
Successfully managing a hive requires balancing accurate record-keeping with practical field work.
- If your primary focus is quick identification: Memorize the "What, You Raise Green Bees?" mnemonic to instantly recognize the age of any queen you encounter during inspection.
- If your primary focus is queen longevity: Prioritize using high-quality, water-based acrylic markers with soft tips to ensure the marking process causes zero physical distress to the queen.
The color on the thorax is more than a mark; it is a data point that dictates the future management of your colony.
Summary Table:
| Year Ends In | Marker Color | Mnemonic Key |
|---|---|---|
| 1 or 6 | White | What |
| 2 or 7 | Yellow | You |
| 3 or 8 | Red | Raise |
| 4 or 9 | Green | Green |
| 5 or 0 | Blue | Bees |
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