It is not one out of seven... the pattern is repeated, overall it is about
>one in two

Yes I was wrong.  I actually counted cells and it is one out of three (60
normal cells, 120 sunken cells)!

still it does not explain why one would be normal out of three, in such a
regular pattern. I suspect that the foundation is duracell.

 >Are the moults governed by elapsed time or volumetric increase? I
would have
>thought that growth could be stunted, but occur in the same developmental
>stages and same timing.

I see your point. I am not sure either if smaller larvae would result in
lower cell capping in worker brood. in the spring you see a lot of pigmy
bees, perhaps because insufficient pollen, but they all seem to have
normal capping to begin with.

Thanks,

Zachary

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