Queen Cell Timeline
Calculate mating and laying timeline from a known queen cell emergence date. Perfect for purchased cells or grafting schedules.
Cell Details
The date the virgin queen will emerge (or has emerged) from the cell.
Extra margin added to the 'check by' date.
Tip: For purchased queen cells, the seller should provide the expected emergence date. If buying capped cells, emergence is typically 8 days after capping.
Timeline
Development Milestones
Queen Emergence
Virgin queen emerges from cell
Sat, Dec 6
Orientation Flights
Virgin queen takes orientation flights
Tue, Dec 9 – Sat, Dec 13
Mating Flights
Queen takes mating flights (weather dependent)
Thu, Dec 11 – Sat, Dec 20
Earliest Eggs
Earliest likely egg-laying date
Sat, Dec 13
Typical Eggs
Most likely to see eggs by this date
Sat, Dec 20
Check by Date
Latest typical date before investigating
Mon, Dec 29
Earliest eggs
Sat, Dec 13
Check by
Mon, Dec 29
Save & Export
Label this hive/nuc so you know which one to check
Assumptions & Notes
- Virgin queens take orientation flights before mating (days 3-7 post-emergence).
- Mating flights occur days 5-14 post-emergence in good weather.
- Queens mate with multiple drones over several flights.
- Egg-laying typically begins 2-5 days after successful mating.
- Poor weather can significantly delay mating and extend the timeline.