Effects of Synthetic, Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Queen Mandibular-Gland Pheromone on Workers in Packages

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Abstract
Packages of worker honey bees, Apis mellifera L., were provided with either queens, one of two doses of synthetic queen mandibular-gland pheromone, or a blank lure, and treated as commercially produced packages. There were no significant differences between queenright and pheromone-treated packages in worker agitation, cluster density, sound production, worker mortality, or colony population 3 wk after hiving. Packages in the blank treatments usually showed statistically significant or qualitative differences from the other three treatments. Queen introduction problems were found with all queenless treatments. Synthetic queen mandibular-gland pheromone can be used as a queen substitute for the shipment and temporary storage of packaged bees, provided that proper care is taken when introducing queens following package shipment.