Free beekeeping tools › Queen colour by year
Queen bee colour by year
Queens are marked with the colour of the year they were born. The colour depends on the last digit of the year and repeats every 5 years, so the dot tells you how old a queen is.
Memory aid: "Will You Raise Good Bees?" – White (1/6), Yellow (2/7), Red (3/8), Green (4/9), Blue (5/0).
Queen colour chart by year
| Last digit of the year | Colour | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 1 / 6 | White | 2016, 2021, 2026, 2031 |
| 2 / 7 | Yellow | 2017, 2022, 2027, 2032 |
| 3 / 8 | Red | 2018, 2023, 2028, 2033 |
| 4 / 9 | Green | 2019, 2024, 2029, 2034 |
| 5 / 0 | Blue | 2020, 2025, 2030, 2035 |
How to mark a queen
Hold the queen gently in a marking cage or tube and put a small dot of bee-safe paint on the top of the thorax, keeping it off the wings and head. Let it dry for 1–2 minutes before releasing her. The dot shows her age and makes her much easier to find on a crowded frame.
Frequently asked questions
What colour is used for queens in 2026?
Queens born in 2026 are marked white. The colour follows the last digit of the year.
What is the queen colour rule?
If the year ends in 1 or 6 use white, 2 or 7 yellow, 3 or 8 red, 4 or 9 green, and 5 or 0 blue. It is an international convention.
How can I tell a queen's age from her colour?
Because the colour repeats every 5 years, the queen is almost always from the most recent year with that colour. Queens are usually productive for 2–3 years.
What if the mark wears off?
You can re-mark her with the same colour. If you do not know her age, record her as unknown in your hive notes rather than giving her this year's colour.
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In the knowledge library
Marking Queens: Types and Uses Queen Rearing Schedule: When and How Beekeeping calendar (month by month)
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