Hi All/Phillip Interesting stuff about the cape bee mechanics - yes that is the way it works. Interestingly, and I must check on this, somebody here in our bee lab told me that they think the young hatched cape bee lays fertilized eggs until she mates, after which she is able to lay both unfertilized and fertilized eggs. Odd bee. Keep well Garth Garth Cambray Camdini Apiaries 15 Park Road Grahamstown Apis mellifera capensis 6139 South Africa Time = Honey