In the next stage of development, known as the pupal period, 
the creature undergoes transformations and is changed into a winged 
snsect. It also lines its cell with a cocoon which does not extend 
to that third of the cell nearest the base. About eight days after 
sealing the adult winged queen removes the cap from the point of 
the cell and emerges from the cell. Usually about one day previous 
to the emergence of the queen the bees remove the waxen point from 
the cell leaving only the fibrous cocoon confining the queen. The 
queen is equipped with a sting which is slightly curved, is not barbed, 
and is seldom, if ever, used except against a rival queen. 
Appearance 
The shape of the queen reminds one of a wasp or hornet. As 
compared with the worker her abdomen is longer and more pointed 
at the posterior end. Because of the length of the abdomen the 
wings appear shorter than those of the worker bees, but in reality 
they are slightly longer. The color of the queen varies, with the 
race or admixture of races, from a light brown to a glossy black 
or a combination of the two, and varies most on the abdomen. 
Soon after emergence from the cell the queen goes to an open 
cell of honey and satisfies her need for food. When from five to 
eight days old she leaves the hive for the mating flight which occurs 
in the open air. After a successful mating the queen returns to 
the hive bearing evidence of union with the drone by the drone’s 
genital organ still attached to her body. At the time of copulation 
the queen receives a supply of spermatozoa which is stored in a 
receptacle (spermatheca) within her body. The spermatozoa re- 
main active during the lifetime of the queen, which may be four or 
five years or until the supply becomes exhausted. About two days 
after mating the queen commences to deposit eggs, which she places 
in the cells to the bottom of which they are attached at one end. 
These eggs are pearly white in color and about one-sixteenth of an 
inch in length. Their short diameter is about that of the period 
used in this printing. Under favorable conditions a queen will 
deposit upwards of two thousand eggs in a day and continue. at this 
rate for weeks. She deposits eggs which will bring forth males, 
these eggs being called fertile but unfertilized. Eggs which will 
result in females are also deposited; these are said to be both fertile 
and fertilized. No spermatozoa are found in the male eggs. 
After a successful mating flight, only one of which occurs during 
the lifetime of the queen, she does not again leave the hive except to 
accompany a swarm. 
A queen which does not become fertilized before she is many 
weeks old seldom, if ever, proves to be of any value. There are re- 
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