I looked in my references but couldn't find any information on the
cause of shriveled wings on bees. The wings are usually almost stick-like
and the bees appear darker than the others. They are dumped in front of the
hive by the healthy bees or carried away.  I have seen them occasionally
during the summer.  I seem to be seeing more during the last week. I was
wondering if it is related to the coming of fall and to cool temperatures
in the hive.  Our nighttime temperatures here (near Santa Cruz, Calif.)
have dropped into the high 40's and daytime highs are in the 60's or 70's.
I guess it could also be due to some genetic defect, but most of the bees
are okay.
 
Does anyone know what is causing the shriveled wings?
 
Does anyone have a reference that discusses this problem?
 
Doug.
Ben Lomond, Calif