FIELD BOOK OF INSECTS. 



The swarming of the honey-bee brings about an increase 

 in the number of colonies but it is the queen of the old 

 colony, and not one of her daughters, which goes out to 

 form the new colony. The stimulus to the act of swarm- 

 ing is not understood; since a swarm sometimes starts 

 without a queen, she can not be the instigator. In fact, if 

 she is detained by a trap or in some other way, the bees 

 may destroy her and swarm with a virgin queen. 



The swarming bees usually cluster on a branch or some 

 other support before going to a cavity, such as a hollow 

 tree, in which to start the new colony. The old-fashioned 

 idea that ringing bells or beating tin pans will hasten this 

 clustering is a mistaken one. If there be a delay in finding 

 a suitable cavity, unprotected comb will be made on the 

 branch where the bees have clustered. 



Shortly after the swarm has departed, a young queen 

 which has been left behind in her sealed-up cradle eats her 

 way out, takes her mating flight several days later, and 

 settles down to her work at the old stand with the help of 

 such of her unmarriageable sisters as have remained. 



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