Observations on Flight-Experienced Queen Honeybees Following Extra-Apiary Release

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Abstract
Queen honeybees, which had acquired flight experience during orientation and/or mating flights from small hives, were released at various distances and directions from the apiary. Great variations were found in the return frequency and flight duration of released queens. Of 45 queens released, 12 (27%) mated during their return flights. Of the 35 queens that were liberated within 400 m from the apiary, 32 (91%) returned successfully to their hives; the maximum return distance was 1600 m. Many queens tolerated multiple releases (maximum = 30 return flights for the same queen from 340 m). Queens were able to orient during the morning, although they normally fly only in the afternoon. The method of releasing flight-experienced queens is apparently useful for studying flight; its limitations are discussed.

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