The price of a mated queen honeybee varies considerably depending on several factors. These include the bee’s lineage (e.g., Italian, Carniolan), her breeding program (e.g., known for honey production, disease resistance), the supplier’s reputation, and the quantity purchased. A single queen from a reputable breeder might range from $25 to $50, while bulk purchases or queens with less extensive pedigrees can be cheaper. Prices can also fluctuate seasonally due to supply and demand.
A healthy, high-quality queen is essential for a thriving honeybee colony. Her role in laying eggs potentially thousands daily directly impacts the colony’s size, productivity (honey and beeswax yield), and overall health. Historically, the importance of the queen was recognized, although the precise mechanisms of her influence were not fully understood until relatively recent times. Superior queens contribute significantly to a beekeeper’s success, impacting both honey production and the long-term viability of the hive. A strong, productive colony contributes significantly to pollination efforts, benefiting both agricultural output and broader ecosystems.
Further sections will explore factors influencing pricing, sourcing reputable suppliers, and essential considerations for successfully introducing a new queen into an existing hive. Methods for evaluating queen quality and recognizing signs of a failing queen will also be discussed.
