Dear Michael,
        If you are looking at the chemistry of wax, then the wax from bumblebee
honeypots will be different from that used to cover the brood. I am about to
start some studies looking at bumblebee pheromones which involves incubation
pheromones etc found in the waxes. I am sure that you will be able to get
some wax from either a company or researcher who has bumblebee rearing
facilities.
Best wishes,
Guy Poppy
Dept Entomology/Nematology
Rothamsted Experimental Station
Harpenden,
Herts
AL5 2JQ UK