Jim,
 
I observed a few uncapped pupae like the ones you describe.  It's as
though the varroa-infested colony's nurses lose the will to finish their
work.  I think someone referred to "neglected brood" in a recent post
and this seems to be part of that syndrome.  In addition to the uncapped
pupae, I observed a few late larvae which were tan and dehydrated
(obviously dead.) Brood of these types was seen in late August in colonies
which seemed to be dwindling.  The cappings on the pupae had holes
which were perfectly round and had beaded rims, perfectly formed.  This
was not the work of wax moths in my opinion.
 
Bill Morrison
[log in to unmask]  (In the Cumberland Valley of southcentral
Pennsylvania,U.S.A.)
On Mon, 26 Aug 1996, Jim Moore DTN276-9448 ogo1/e17 508-496-9448 wrote:
 
>         While inspecting my weakest hive, a small swarm I'm
> nursing along, I encountered something I have never seen
> before (during this my first year of beekeeping). There were a
> number of worker cells among capped brood that were uncapped.
> The pupae were well developed with the bodies still white and
> the eyes a light purple. It was strange seeing the white
> bodies with the purple eyes staring out of the comb.
>
>         Other factors that might be relevant. This hive has a
> low level of varroa mites. I encountered and destroyed two
> large wax moth caterpillars. My guess is that the moth
> caterpillars ate the caps.
>
>         (A side note relating to a previous post.  The
> caterpillar feces found in some of cells I inspected look like
> coffee grounds.)
>
>         Anyone have and knowledge or ideas about the cause of
> the uncapped pupae.
>
>         Thanks,
>
>         Jim Moore
>         [log in to unmask]
>