Italian Queen Bees (Marked) 2026
A marked, mated Italian queen for the 2026 season — she carries a paint dot on her thorax so you can spot her fast during inspections, requeening, and split checks. Italian stock is a long-time favorite for being gentle to work, quick to build up in spring, and steady honey producers. Use her to requeen a failing or queenless colony, or to head a new split.
Features
- Marked, mated Italian queen — 2026 season
- Marked in the 2026 international color, white, for easy spotting
- Italian stock: gentle temperament, fast spring buildup, productive
- For requeening a colony or starting a split
How it works in real life
A marked queen saves time in the yard. Instead of searching frame by frame, you find her quickly to confirm she's present and laying, check that a colony has accepted her after introduction, or set her aside while you work the box. Introduce her in her cage using standard slow-release practice so the colony accepts her before she's released.
Before you order
- This is a live queen — she ships overnight to limit time in transit and protect her health.
- We do not ship on weekends; orders placed near the weekend ship on the next appropriate business day so queens don't sit in transit.
- Seasonal, live product — availability depends on the time of year and supply.
- Have a queenless colony or nuc ready to receive her when she arrives.
Pairs Well With
- Queen Cage / Roller Cage — hold or introduce the queen safely
- Posca Queen Bee Marking Pen — refresh or re-mark a queen by year color
Specifications
- Type: marked, mated Italian queen
- Season: 2026
- Marking: paint dot on the thorax (2026 color, white)
- Shipping: overnight; no weekend shipping
FAQ
Why do these queens ship overnight?
She's a live bee, so overnight delivery limits time in transit and helps protect her health on the way to you.
Do you ship queens on weekends?
No. Weekend shipping is avoided so queens don't sit in transit; weekend orders go out on the next appropriate business day.
What does the mark mean?
The dot follows the international queen-marking color for the year — white for 2026 — and simply makes her easier to find. It doesn't affect her behavior.
Who is this queen for?
Beekeepers requeening a hive, replacing a poor performer, building splits, or who simply want a queen that's easy to spot during inspections.
