From: "Allen Dick" <allend@internode.net>
Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2002 18:24:01 -0700
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: cell size measurement

>>>however the diameter of the cell cup used in grafting has historically
been found to be extremely critical, with very little tolerance permissible if
good acceptance is desired. (Has this changed)?<<<

> Not sure about this Allen as there are recorded cases in the early days here
> in Australia of queen bee breeders using drone cells to graft into.

I have seen several references, I believe, but one that came easily to mind
was page 8 in Steve Taber's "Breeding Super Bees". In an unpublished
study, he says he tried varying the size of (glass?) cups in various
combinations from his optimal 9mm (3/8") deep by 9mm wide and found that the
success rate fell off with any changes from those measurements.

With wax cells, the bees can, of course alter the cup, and we should be able
to pull a few apart to measure them at some standardized distance down from
the top. It should not take long to make a rough determination whether
small cell bees might build a different diameter of queen cell, and to
justify (or not) a closer and more rigorous examination.

It would also be interesting to know if any of those who raise bees on small
cells use JayZee BeeZee cups. I remember that the originator of these cups
commented on the difficulty he had fine-tuning the design. Seems to me that
texture inside was a factor. I don't recall if he mentioned problems
establishing the proper calibre of the cups, or if he considered it
critical.

allen