Rick Wing "inflation" is one of the last acts before emergence. I think when the nuc was prepared, the capped brood was distributed over an area greater than the adult bees could keep warm. Some of the nearly emerged bees may have died of chilling, others were affected enough to prevent their wings from becoming inflated. I've seen the same thing with queens when they emerge from a cell separated from a little cluster. As long as the nuc is otherwise healthy, the dying bees don't signify any long term problem. As you mentioned, Varroa can also affect wing formation. I have heard this results from the mite feeding at the site of the developing wing tissue. Kerry Clark, Apiculture Specialist B.C. Ministry of Agriculture 1201 103 Ave Dawson Creek B.C. V1G 4J2 CANADA Tel (604) 784-2225 fax (604) 784-2299 INTERNET [log in to unmask]