One of the issues I have with foundation is that it reduces the diversity  
in the size of the bees.  In the wild all cells are not the standard worker  
or drone size and this results in various size workers.  Various size  
workers can do different task, which is the diversity issue again.  
 
 
interesting implications for our bees.....we are using mainly worker  
foundation at the expense of the natural 14%-17% drones......we are losing  
diversity in our bees.  worker foundation was developed in the late  1800's. 
Beekeepers wanted more honey and believed more workers would give  them more 
honey.....seems to me I read some research way back when that found  there was 
not much difference between the worker foundation amount of honey  yield and 
using naturally occuring mix of drone/workers.....   I  believe this is but 
one of the problems we have introduced into our  hives......this is one 
reason why Chris Slade and I have gone to foundationless  frames..........  
The reason for this is the bees control how many drones are produced.   
When nectar is plentiful, they produce more drones,  when nectar is less,  they 
produce fewer drones.  When nectar is plentiful, they are able to also  
produce more workers.  So the benefit of worker foundation is  min.....

 

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