Moved a hive from one location to another in May. Inspected it in June and it wasn't doing the best - bit slower than the other hive, so gave them three full frames of honey from a stronger hive next door.
Two days ago we were taking some honey off the stronger hives near this one and decided to crack the lid and see how they were going. Totally empty - not a bee in sight, no dead bees, no larvae or brood at all. Honey still in the super and pollen still in the brood frames. Few beetles had moved in but it wasn't slimed or anything.
Very confused, as I know this can happen but we've never had it occur. I assume maybe the queen died and they couldn't replace her so they absconded? Or absconded for another reason? Any ideas?