Correct answer: 2.
In a young queen at the start of laying, several eggs per cell may sometimes be observed; the development should be checked a few days later.
Why?
A queen that is already well established generally lays a single egg per cell. At the start of its laying, however, a young queen may lack regularity for a few days. Observing fairly compact worker brood argues rather for a colony with a laying queen than for a markedly drone-laying colony.
What to understand
Several eggs in the same cell are a signal to be interpreted with caution. The position of the eggs, the presence of worker brood, the regularity of the brood nest and the development at the next inspection are more important than an isolated observation. If, a few days later, the laying remains very disorderly, with a great deal of scattered drone brood, a failing queen, a queenless colony or a drone-laying colony will need to be considered.
What to remember
Conclude neither too quickly nor too slowly: in a small colony with a young queen, multiple laying may be transitory. The right response is to note the observation, limit disturbance and carry out a targeted check a few days later.
