ABSTRACT

Honeybee colonies can multiply in two ways: either by producing males that may try to inseminate young queens of other colonies, or by fission. The latter is by far the most risky way. At least two kinds of swarms may be distinguished: prime swarms, in which the old queen of the colony and about half of the worker population leave the nest, and afterswarms or secondary swarms, in which one or more young queens depart with the swarm. The young queens have just started phenomone production and therefore worker familiarity with their specific properties is less likely. Reproductive swarming is distinguished from the swarms in which the whole colony leaves the nest due to deterioration of the nest site or due to food conditions in the environment. Once the bees are in flight in front of the hive each individual has to make the decision either to return to the hive or to join the swarm.