"T & M Weatherhead"  Another point is does the mite have to come from a
feeder to enter the cell?
> Cannot it enter under its own power as it is crawling around the comb?

Trevor has hit the nail here surely. It would be more effective for the mite
to de-horse when it feels like a bit of breeding and then take its time to
select a cell that smells in the best condition - a fully provisioned drone
cell just ready for sealing. Hope someone will confirm from direct
observation if this is so.

If it is, it implies the old reason for mites preferring drone cells was
probably right - the longer period of pupation allows the mite time to
produce more viable offspring.

Robin Dartington

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