QUEEN CELLS
Genetics that spread through the apiary
Selected queen cells are one of the most effective tools for introducing genetic improvements into an apiary in a natural and gradual way.
Why buy queen cells
Unlike buying an already-mated queen, using a queen cell allows the future queen to mate in your own area, blending the genetic heritage of the selected maternal line with that of the drones present locally.
Once mated in the area, even an unisolated one, the queens born from these cells will produce drones carrying their mother’s genetic heritage, helping to improve the genetic quality of the colonies in the apiary across the following generations.
The traits of our queen cells
The queen cells offered by Tenuta Ritiro come from Buckfast lines selected for the high heritability of traits essential to colony health
HYG+ (hygienic behaviour)
SMR / VSH (reduction of varroa reproduction)
Decapping (ability to detect and open infested cells)
A tool for improving apiary genetics
Using queen cells allows beekeepers to:
- introduce varroa-resistance traits into their colonies
- increase the level of hygienic behaviour across the apiary stock
- create colonies for use as drone lines, to saturate their own mating apiaries
- encourage natural matings with a higher probability of passing on selected traits
It is therefore a particularly useful tool for beekeepers who want to improve the genetics of their apiary over time, while preserving the local adaptation of their bees.
PIN TEST
Remember to monitor results over time
The increase in traits linked to colony health needs to be monitored continuously.
For this reason Tenuta Ritiro recommends periodically assessing your colonies through the Pin Test, a tool used to measure the level of hygienic behaviour and verify whether the selected traits are actually being passed on.
Only through consistent measurement is it possible to steer selection work correctly and achieve genetic improvements that hold up over time.
Availability and collection
Buckfast queen cells are available:
- from April to August
- with at least 20 days’ advance booking
Collection takes place exclusively at our premises. The cells are handed over in dedicated thermal containers designed for transport, which guarantee the optimal conditions to preserve their vitality and quality until they are introduced into the colonies.
Transporting queen cells
Maintaining a steady temperature is essential during transport: it is therefore necessary to use an adequate thermal container, paired with a heat source such as a hot-water bottle or a portable incubator.
Once they reach the apiary, queen cells must be introduced carefully into the receiving colonies, avoiding temperature shocks and abrupt handling. The moment of introduction is crucial: the colony must be ready to accept the cell, ideally queenless and in optimal condition.
Managing all of these steps correctly directly affects whether the new queen will hatch, which is why it is essential to pay close attention during transport, handling and introduction.