Joe Waggle wrote:

>>>>So my question is, what is the trigger to uncap the cell,  and what is the 
separate trigger that causes the bees to begin chewing down the pupa a day 
or two later?  

My question, too!  One wouldn't think that they have a strong reaction to
the odor of a mite, since they don't display one outside the cell.  So it
wouldn't be that the foundress mite escapes when they uncap, and they no
longer chew.  So once they have the capping off, why do they leave that
purple-eyed, healthy appearing pupa just resting there?  Has anyone marked
any exposed pupae to see if the bees ever seal them back up?

Randy Oliver

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