Mark  if the theory of transference to the larvae was correct wouldn't we see "old comb" was extremely clean?  assuming the residue was left in the initial wax,  and that say (just picking a number) 5% was then transferred to the larvae, in 20 brood cycles or so in theory we wold have clean wax (Yes I realize it would not be linear)
Point being that old comb would be better than new.   I also would wager that the cocoon spun by the larvae provides a large insulating factor for transference.

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