Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 08:51:57 -0600
From: Barry Birkey <barry@birkey.com>
Subject: Re: Queens relation to cell size

> Yes. You will find that there are two ranges of cells within each colony.
> One for worker brood and pollen mainly, and the other for drones
> and honey. This is how they are basically used by the bees.

Hello Helmut -

As Dee mentions above, I found this to be very accurate. To see this, I
include a link to a photo I took of one of my swarms that I put on 4.9
starter strips last spring.

http://www.beesource.com/eob/4dot9/h1eggs7.1.htm

The top half of the comb had cells measuring 5.1 - 5.3 mm and the bottom
half that looks like empty cells actually have eggs in them and measured 6.5 - 7.1 mm. The smaller cell range was consistent with the other frames where worker brood was raised, even though these have some honey and pollen in them. I learned a lot about bees through this sizing down procedure. When we put our bees on larger foundation and they build out sheets and sheets of uniform cell sized comb, we don't get to see what they do in their natural setting. A real eye opener to me.

Regards,

Barry