When a bee hive finds itself with two queens, it typically leads to one of three distinct outcomes, as the colony usually tolerates only a single reigning monarch for optimal functioning. This situation often arises when a new queen hatches while the old queen is still present within the hive. The presence of multiple queens creates instability, and the colony's natural mechanisms work to restore the balance to a single-queen state.
The Dynamics of Queen Bee Succession
A honey bee colony operates under a strict system where one queen is responsible for laying all the eggs, ensuring the continuation and growth of the hive. Her presence and pheromones regulate the behavior of the worker bees and maintain colony cohesion. When a new queen emerges, usually from a queen cell, the hive faces a critical moment of transition.
Possible Scenarios for a Multi-Queen Hive
The conflict or resolution that follows the appearance of a second queen is vital for the hive's survival and can manifest in a few predictable ways:
- Worker Bees Eliminate the Old Queen (Supersedure): In many instances, especially if the old queen is failing, aged, or exhibiting poor laying patterns, the worker bees will make the decision to "supersede" her. They will typically "ball" the old queen, surrounding her tightly and increasing her body temperature until she perishes. This ensures that the new, vigorous queen can take over without a fight, leading to a smooth transition and improved hive health. This process is a natural way for a colony to replace an underperforming queen, ensuring the genetic strength of future generations.
- Queens Fight to the Death: If both the old queen and the newly hatched queen are strong and healthy, they may engage in a direct, often brutal, confrontation. This duel is a natural selection process within the hive. The queens will sting each other until one is victorious and the other perishes. The survivor then becomes the sole queen of the hive. This ensures that only the strongest and most capable queen leads the colony, promoting the fitness of the entire bee population.
- The Hive Swarms: Swarming is a natural reproductive process for a bee colony and is one of the most common reasons for a temporary two-queen situation. Before the new queen hatches, the old queen will often leave the original hive, taking with her a significant portion of the worker bees. This group then seeks a new location to establish a separate colony. The newly hatched queen is left behind in the original hive to take over the laying duties and continue the lineage there. This process reduces overcrowding in the parent colony and allows both the old and new queens to lead thriving colonies.
Summary of Outcomes
The fate of a hive with two queens can be summarized as follows:
| Scenario | Mechanism | Outcome for the Hive |
|---|---|---|
| Worker Supersedure | Workers perceive old queen as failing | Old queen is killed by workers; new queen reigns. |
| Queens Fight | Direct combat between the two queens | One queen is killed in battle; the stronger one reigns. |
| Swarming | Natural colony reproduction/overpopulation | Old queen leaves with a swarm; new queen reigns in original hive. |
Why Only One Queen?
The presence of a single queen is crucial for the stability and efficiency of a bee colony. A solitary queen produces specific pheromones that inhibit worker bees from laying eggs and regulate their behavior, maintaining social order and preventing chaos. Multiple queens would lead to conflicting pheromones, competition for resources, and a breakdown in the highly organized social structure, ultimately harming the colony's productivity and survival.
Understanding these dynamics provides insight into the complex and highly adaptive social structure of honey bee colonies, where mechanisms are in place to ensure the strongest and most capable leadership prevails.
