In message <[log in to unmask]>, [log in to unmask] writes >So in a typical queenright colony at this time of year there may be as many >as half a dozen laying workers. I think it was Aebi who wrote (although I >don't know his source) that maybe 1% of laying workers can lay female eggs. I have seen quite a few queen shaped workers, with somewhat longer bodies than usual. I didn't check timing, but we such a poor summer that colonies reduced laying rates drastically. Under these circumstances I wonder if large feeds do this. Like when a new queen starts laying, copious feeding takes place, flooding the larvae. -- James Kilty