What distinguishes a swarm cell in a beehive?

A swarm cell is specifically designed for the production of new queen bees, and its distinctive placement and structure within the hive are key to its identification. Generally, swarm cells are located on the bottom edges of frames within a beehive. This positioning allows the queen to emerge safely when she is ready, and it also prevents interference from worker bees during the queen's development.

The construction of a swarm cell resembles that of a typical queen cell but is prominently situated at the bottom of the frame, which helps to visually differentiate it from other types of cells, such as worker or drone cells. In contrast, worker cells and drone cells do not serve the purpose of producing a new queen and are located differently within the frame—worker cells are generally outlined along the middle of the frame, and drone cells are usually found on the periphery. Thus, the designated location of the swarm cell on the bottom helps beekeepers quickly recognize and manage swarming behavior in their colonies.