On 16 Jul 99, at 17:25, Joe Hemmens wrote:

> Mean characteristics of honey bee queens produced by transferring
> eggs or larvae from worker cells to queen cells at various stages.
>
> Stage    Weight mg  No. Ovarioles  Spm Dia mm  Spm Vol mm3
>
> Egg       209            317                1.31               1.18
>
> 1 Day    189            308                1.28               1.09
>
> 2 Days  172            292                1.21               0.94
>
> 3 Days  147            272                1.16               0.82
>
> 4 Days  119            224                1.03               0.59

I think this illustrates the point I've been trying to make for some
time. Taking larvae too old will mean a loss of size (weaker) a loss
of Ovarioles (less eggs) and a general reduction in queen
performance, apart from regressive behaviour.
        It matters not if you've got 3, 300, 3000 hives poor performance
should not be tolerated. Only a poor business man will allow second
best stock to persist, especially if he knows there is an
alternative.



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