Roger White said: "I have seen two laying queens and queens cells (sealed and unsealed) in hives that have been treated with coumaphos. It is all to do with Intercaste Syndrome which is caused by chemicals such as coumaphos." Roger, A search of the BEE-L Archives failed to come up with any additional posts with "Intercaste Syndrome" as the quoted phrase. I frankly am not up to date on this although I am aware of increased mortality and infertility of queens and drones raised in an environment affected by "normal" applications of various FDA (USA) approved pesticides. Could you and others possibly expand on this hypothesis? Thanks, Chuck Norton Norton's Nut & Honey Farm Reidsville, NC :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::