Bees will tear down comb and move wax to an area where cells are short, but where they are placing an incoming nectar flow - I assume it's a more economic method of quickly finishing cells.  We've documented this where they'll steal wax from new foundation that they are drawing to build out and cap more fully drawn cells.


We've also done the equivalent of the 'radiotracer' study, following the movement of arsenic and cadmium.  One thing we didn't realize at first is that old comb samples may decline in concentrations of contaminant in wax, not from age or breakdown, but from dilution by new wax used to rebuild brood and extracted honey combs.


And I assume if the levels of contaminant are high enough, there may be some contact/ingestion toxicity.





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