empty capped queen cell

[bcooper]

I'm new at raising queens so I have tried a few things. I grafted a few times and learned about that. I put 5 grafted cups in a nuc that just happen to have a laying worker in it, they took to it and capped 2 on schedule, even capped a cell from the worker, should be a happy drone.  I left one cell, with a protector, in the laying worker hive to see if it would stop her. It was chewed open and empty way to soon, bummer! I put one in a fresh nuc and waited until it was time, checked 3 days in a row, still capped! today I opened it and it was empty! any thoughts?

[Grandpa Jim]

Just a thought .....did you look at the end of the cell.  Sometimes the queen will leave part of the end hinged (like a trap door) and it will go back shut after she has emerged, making the cell to appear unhatched.  Closer inspection will show that it was open and she is out and about. 

Jim

[bcooper]

Hey grandpa Jim, you were right, she is out, mated and laying just fine. thanks!