>
> > How does one tell the difference between a failing queen and brood that
> has been removed due to hygienic behavior.


Mike, there are other possible reasons for the shot pattern:
Miticide or pesticide contamination of comb
Virus mortality
Fast-acting AFB strain

All above, plus failing queen, could be ruled out by inserting a drawn comb
in the center of the brood nest.  The queen should start laying immediately.
 Then simply follow that brood up to capping, and a few more days.  Hygienic
uncapping won't happen until later.

If queen is failing, then you will see a poor egg pattern.  If larvae or
eggs are removed shortly after queen lays them, then suspect nutritional
stress.

If the egg and larval development pattern is uniform, and the larvae
uniformly develop through capping, then you can rule out the above.  Removal
after that would likely be due either to hygienic behavior or virus
mortality.  If hygienic, the removed pupae will be white and solid during
removal.  If virus, they will be miscolored (gray) or disfigured.

Hope this helps!

Randy

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