Thanks Gordon for the response, Being a Cajun, it takes a lot more to gross me out than that. The rule down here is, Eat it first before it eats you. Seriously, Ana Merlo, a beekeeper in Brazil said it also could have been 2 other things; Eucalyptus or Sugar Cane. I'm not familiar with eucalyptus at all, so I can not comment. However, I live in the middle of sugar cane country and I thought that was interesting. Sugar cane products are high in iron and this could explain the dark honey and whether or not that makes the wax dark, I don't know. But your explanation takes care of the wax color. Buddy Gauthier Computer Systems Analyst Cameco Industries, Inc. Thibodaux, LA 70301 Phone: (504)448-0339 Fax: (504)435-4704 Email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> -----Original Message----- From: Gordon Albright [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 1998 1:38 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Brazil Experience Buddy: Unless there are local factors to take into consideration, the only cause of brown comb I know of is that caused by brood being raised in the comb prior to the honey being stored there. The comb would also have a toughness not found in comb which has never had brood. Which I think is due to the remnant larval casings. Brood comb which has been in a hive more than 3 or 4 years has a dark brown color. I don't mean to gross you out, but it is my best guess. Best Regards, Gordon