Hi Joel and all,

>     Just a question concerning chewing out varroa in the purple-eye stage.
I
> too have observed this phenomenon  in New World Carniolans, Buckfasts and
> Italians.

I have also on 5.2 cells. But not like what one sees on small cells.

The pictures I have seen posted and my own observations only
> involve worker brood.

I believe Barry has pic's of this happening in drone cells too!  I have seen
uncapping of both drone and worker cells on my small cell colonies. Often
the bees will chew drone pupae down to remove the mite.  Also only 10% drone
brood is allowed on any frame to limit the mites. In the worker brood no or
very little reproduction is occuring. The female mite still enters the cell
however she is removed at the purple eye stage.

> Has anyone observed the same phenomenon concerning drone brood to the same
> extent as worker brood?

 Yes. It occurs in drone brood. One must remember that worker brood out
numbers drone brood. Also most of us using small cells cull frames with
excessive drone brood to make the bees work easier(usually not on year one
however as the comb is much needed). Do not confuse this with drone
trapping.  It has been seen by members of bio bee list that as much as 1/3
to1/2 frames under go such uncapping at the purple eye stage.

Clay