Drone cells or superceedure cells?

[Pooh]

I found maybe a dozen cells throughout the hive that looked like pea sized bubbles glued on top of the foundation. They were large but very circular like with a whole in the bottom. The hive is producing alot of drone cells right now. Is this just a wierd drone cell are the start of a superceedure cell that just hasn't been drawn down yet. All were empty. Thanks, Pooh

[iddee]

More likely old queen cells that were never used. They will make ""practice"" cells quite often.

[peggjam]

I find most if not all hives will have some queen cells in various stages of building....the key is whether they are loaded.....

Supercedure cells are most often found on the face of the frame, as are of course emergencey cells.

Swarm cells are usually found along the bottom edge of the frame, and there will be alot of them, on more than one frame, and can be in either or both boxes.

[Michael Bush]

Look carefully at the orientation of the cell. A queen cell is always vertical (hanging down). A drone cell is always horizontal. A drone cell is also smooth where a queen cell is "gnarly" like a peanut shell.

[Pooh]

These are smooth with the opening a 45 degree angle from the foundation face going down some sounds like drone cells or perhaps pratice cells. Should I bother cutting them out or just leave them? THanks

[Michael Bush]

>Should I bother cutting them out or just leave them? THanks

Either way I wouldn't cut them out. If they are supercedure cells, then they need a queen, and if they aren't, they will need some drones.

[Maine_Beekeeper]

Pooh -
I saw your post this morning so when I was out in the apiary today I made a point of taking a photo of a supercedure cell and drone cells for you to look at.
I've put them on my photobucket account and labeled them.
this is the link:
http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j37/Maine_Beekeeper/

[Pooh]

Thanks so much for the photos Maine beek. I saw the ones with the superceedure and swarm cell comparison. Mine look like early superceedure cells (the top ones in your photo). Do they build some of these just to have on hand or when I see them does that mean they will fill them in the near future. Right now they appear abandoned. Thanks