On 16 Jul 99, at 17:25, Joe Hemmens wrote: > Mean characteristics of honey bee queens produced by transferring > eggs or larvae from worker cells to queen cells at various stages. > > Stage Weight mg No. Ovarioles Spm Dia mm Spm Vol mm3 > > Egg 209 317 1.31 1.18 > > 1 Day 189 308 1.28 1.09 > > 2 Days 172 292 1.21 0.94 > > 3 Days 147 272 1.16 0.82 > > 4 Days 119 224 1.03 0.59 I think this illustrates the point I've been trying to make for some time. Taking larvae too old will mean a loss of size (weaker) a loss of Ovarioles (less eggs) and a general reduction in queen performance, apart from regressive behaviour. It matters not if you've got 3, 300, 3000 hives poor performance should not be tolerated. Only a poor business man will allow second best stock to persist, especially if he knows there is an alternative. ***************************************** The Bee Works, 9 Progress Drive, Unit 2, Orillia, Ontario, Canada.L3V 6H1. Phone (705)326 7171 Fax (705)325 3461 David Eyre, Owner e-mail<[log in to unmask]> http://www.beeworks.com This months special:-Headset magnifiers ****************************************