Today I checked, for the second time, on a swarm that I hived a couple of weeks ago. This time, much of the brood is sealed. The unsealed larvae look healthy but there are lots of unsealed pupae at the red eyed stage. They are scattered and not in lines as is sometimes seen if wax moths are at work. I haven't seen this pattern before though and my assumption is that maybe the workers are uncapping because they detect mites, but I could be wildly wrong! I don't know everything! Is it an example of hygienic behaviour? Anyway, the weather forecast being promising for tomorrow, I intend to give them a dose of formic acid unless, when turning on the computer in the morning, I get howls of protest and good advice from you lot! Chris *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html