As I wrote recently,
> If bees raise the same "cm2 total brood" in larger and smaller cells, then they are raising more bees in the smaller cells.

I read on and see that another of the three studies cited
-- http://www.ent.uga.edu/bees/documents/m08138.pdf -- says this:

"In one of the studies, ending colony bee population was significantly higher in small-cell colonies (14994 ± 2494 bees) than conventional-cell (5653 ± 1082).

IMO, this is the one positive thing that has come out of the whole small cell debate, namely the point that much of the commercial foundation sold until recently is larger than optimal for many bees.  I suspect that using smaller cells allows better spring build-up in colonies located in northern regions since the bees can cover more cells..

I have accidentally obtained quite a bit of what I consider to be small comb: 5.0mm and may be able to do a comparison sometime in the next year.   As mentioned previously, I recently bought quite a few of Mann Lake's 5.0mm one piece frames on the mistaken assumption that it was simply a knock-off of Pierco and would be patterned with 5.25mm cells.  It wasn't.  It turned out to be 5.0mm.

Those frames were drawn quite well this year for the most part, but since it was filled and capped and is in wintering hives, I have yet to confirm by comparison to a similar amount of Permadent added at the same time in the same way whether the cells are following the pattern or there are a considerable number drawn in a wild pattern.  Just glancing at the cappings does not give me a definite impression and when they are empty I'll have a better idea.  I'll be compiling a comparison during spring inspections.

Allen Dick, RR#1 Swalwell, Alberta, Canada  T0M 1Y0
51 33'39.64"N  11318'52.45"W
http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/
Currently featuring ongoing experiments with oxalic acid evaporation 

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