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A colony that loses its queen while there are eggs and young larvae present will generally (weather and predators permitting) successfully requeen itself.

Field signs for a queenless colony:

 No eggs or young larvae, although there may be other causes for this.

 The sound of a “queenless roar” when smoke is applied across the combs.

 The workers are agitated, exhibit jittery wings, and become defensive.

 The presence of emergency cells.

 Eventually, a “hopelessly queenless” colony will exhibit signs of “laying workers.”

The lack of eggs and young larvae is not a conclusive sign of queenlessness, since the colony may have simply ceased broodrearing due to dearth, or may have a new queen in progress (typically referred to as a “virgin” until she starts laying eggs). The other signs in the above list are more conclusive.