Raising Queens from Swarm, Supersedure, and Emergency Cells
In managed beekeeping, the type of queen cell used to raise
a new queen can significantly influence the overall success and productivity of
the resulting colony. Beekeepers commonly rely on swarm, supersedure, or
emergency queen cells when rearing replacement queens or expanding colonies.
However, these cell types vary in terms of biological origin, the circumstances
in which they are produced, and the quality of queens they generate. Drawing
from contemporary scientific literature, this article explores these
differences in depth and outlines when and why each queen cell type might be
preferred.
Queen Cell Types and Their Biological Origins
Swarm cells are produced by colonies in preparation for
swarming—a natural method of colony
reproduction. These elongated, peanut-shaped cells are typically located along
the edges of brood comb and are created under conditions of resource abundance
and strong colony vigor. The queen that lays the eggs destined to become swarm
queens is often in good reproductive condition, and the resulting larvae are
well-fed by nurse bees throughout their development (Simone-Finstrom et al.,
2016). Because they are raised under planned and favorable circumstances, swarm
cells tend to yield robust queens.
Supersedure cells, in contrast, are constructed when the colony determines that the reigning queen is no longer performing optimally—often due to declining pheromone output or reduced egg-laying capacity. These cells are usually found in the central part of the comb. Unlike swarm situations, the colony remains queenright during supersedure events. The objective here is not reproduction but internal queen replacement to sustain colony performance. While the environmental conditions are often stable, the urgency for replacement is typically lower than in emergency scenarios (Winston, 1987).
Emergency cells arise when a colony loses its queen abruptly—either through beekeeper error, predation, or disease. In such cases, the colony responds by identifying young worker larvae, less than three days old, and rearing them into queens by feeding them royal jelly and enclosing them in specially extended vertical cells. This rapid response mechanism ensures the survival of the colony, but it imposes developmental constraints on the replacement queen due to time limitations and suboptimal nutritional conditions (Tarpy et al., 2000).
Scientific Insights into Queen Quality
Research indicates that queens reared under swarm
conditions consistently outperform those produced under supersedure or
emergency conditions. Swarm queens tend to be larger in size, exhibit more
developed reproductive organs, and have higher mating success rates. This
superiority is attributed to the favorable colony status and abundant resources
available during their rearing period (Gilley, 2001).
Supersedure queens are generally acceptable, though studies
show a degree of variability in their reproductive fitness depending on the age
and condition of the queen they replace and the overall health of the colony
(Hatch et al., 1999). Emergency queens are more likely to be of lower quality.
Since they are derived from worker-destined larvae and raised hastily, they may
be smaller, less fertile, and more susceptible to mating failures or early
supersedure (Tarpy et al., 2000).
Guidance for Beekeepers: Choosing the Right Cell Type
Swarm cells are best suited for planned colony divisions,
such as raising nucleus colonies (nucs) or executing controlled expansions.
These cells tend to yield queens of excellent quality, but they also require
close monitoring to avoid uncontrolled swarming.
Supersedure cells are most appropriate for replacing a
failing queen within an otherwise stable colony. While these queens are not as
reliably robust as swarm queens, they are often sufficient for colony
maintenance, especially if the workers make the replacement decision gradually
and under stable environmental conditions.
Emergency queen cells should be reserved for true crises—situations in which the colony is
suddenly queenless. While they serve a critical survival function, the
resulting queens are often inferior in terms of reproductive performance and
longevity. In such cases, beekeepers may consider introducing a purchased or
grafted queen instead, to avoid compounding colony stress with a suboptimal
queen.
Considerations Affecting Queen Success
Several additional factors influence the success of queens
reared from any of these cell types. First, timing is crucial. Queens raised
from swarm and supersedure cells develop over the standard 16-day period from
egg to emergence. In contrast, emergency queens often develop from slightly
older larvae, compressing their developmental window and potentially
compromising physical development (Winston, 1987).
Second, nutritional conditions play a fundamental role in
queen quality. Regardless of the cell type, inadequate feeding of larvae during
early development will result in smaller, less capable queens. Even
well-situated swarm cells can produce poor queens if the colony is experiencing
nutritional stress.
Finally, successful mating is essential for a viable queen.
Factors such as weather, availability of drones, and mating flight success all
influence whether a seemingly well-developed queen will establish a strong
laying pattern. A queen’s quality is not solely defined by her physical
characteristics but also by her ability to mate effectively and begin laying
fertilized eggs promptly (Delaney et al., 2009).
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