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Date: | Fri, 25 Jul 1997 07:56:25 -0400 |
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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
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