In a message dated 97-07-25 06:21:56 EDT, you write: << Among the older capped brood, there are some cells (about 20) which are uncapped and contain what look like pupae. I say it's a pupa because it's not a fully-formed bee and it's not a larva. To be precise, the "pupa" takes up the entire cell and I can see his little face (larva don't have faces) looking out. Questions: Who's uncapping the poor things and why? >> This is known as "bald brood." It is thought to be caused by a virus. In my experience it seems to be evidence of weak stock, and they will need a lot of nursing along, and not ever do well. You otherwise indicate bees that are not doing very well. I suggest requeening. When you get bees from the new queen, they will likely be of better genetic stock. Plus they will have the vigor of a young queen. This usually works for me. If you get too late in the season for them to build up, I'd just eliminate the colony, probably by combining with another. I know it seems hard nosed, but all my beekeeping experience strongly tells me: It's not worth the effort to nurse along junk bees. Cull them. Vigorous culling is the flip side of good breeding. [log in to unmask] Dave Green Hemingway, SC USA Pollination Info: http://users.aol.com/pollinator/polpage1.html