> I received a 3-lb package of bees with an Italian queen on May 3.
> Most of the bees were dead but the queen was still alive ...the
> brood that is capped appear to be all drone brood (large rounded
> cappings) ...The number of worker bees is also now very small
> 100 to 200 maybe.

Yes, you are right.  This hive is definitely doomed.  IMO, there is nothing
you, or anyone can do to save it.  The queen is not capable of producing
workers, and the few remaining  bees are old and will soon die.

Sad, but this can happen to anyone.  Hope the replacement works out better.

allen
A Beekeeper's Diary: http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/

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