Question

Virgin queens will only exit the hive for her mating flight(s) if the following condition is met: _________

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is "the temperature is above 23 °C but not exceeding 40 °C".

Explanation:

The main function of virgin queens in a bee's hive is reproduction. Normally virgin queens do not exit the hive except to perform mating flight(s), which normally are done with 10–20 drone bees and then return to the hive as mated queen bees. Usually virgin queens perform her mating flight(s) in ideal temperature conditions, which are with a temperature above 23 °C but not exceeding 40 °C.

Answer 2

Answer: The temperature is above 23 degrees C (73 degrees F)

Explanation:  Under normal circumstances, there will only be one queen in a hive and she will normally remain in the hive. She will only leave to do her mating dance with the drone bees. The only purpose of the drone bees is to mate with the queen. She will usually fly at about ten metres above the ground towards an area where drones from the surrounding area congregate. The drones will start to pursue the queen at which point she will fly at an increasing altitude with the drones chasing her. Eventually she will be mated on the wing by several drones. After this she will return to the hive and will start laying eggs a couple of days later.