At the risk of flogging the dead, here is one more source. He may, of course, just be echoing Hepburn.

Wax production and comb construction activity in the bee colony are determined by following factors: 

Nectar flow: the greater the flow, the more combs are needed for storage. 

Brood rearing (egg laying): the more eggs are layed, the more comb cells are needed. 

The presence of a queen: only colonies with a queen build combs. 

Temperature: temperatures higher than 15° C favour comb building activity 

The presence of pollen as a protein source 

Bogdanov, Stefan. Beeswax: Quality issues today. Bee World. April 2015
DOI: 10.1080/0005772X.2004.11099623

Pete B

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