Hi Murray

> Despite our efforts some went on to make drone layers, but most mated
> and laid, apparently satisfactorily despite their small size. However,
> at least half of them then superceded within a few weeks,

I believe this to be a survival strategy, the supercedure queen, being
properly raised and thus 'normal'. Meanwhile the bees have had the output of
the scrub queen as a 'tide over' workforce.

I see it happen quite often in AMM types and I am no longer disturbed by it,
because the final result is OK.

> These tiny ones were almost impossible to spot unless
> you knew what you were looking for and anticipated their presence.

What do the legs look like on these tiny specimens?

Best Regards & 73s... Dave Cushman, G8MZY
Beekeeping & Bee Breeding Website...
http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman