In article <[log in to unmask]>, Lloyd Spear <[log in to unmask]> writes <snip> > the other bees do not open the cell. <snip> Not quite true. If you have ever seen a colony which is infested with varroa mites, you will see that the bees do SOMETIMES uncap the cells. I believe that they will also uncap cells when foulrood is present. -- Paul Walton Email : [log in to unmask] Bedfordshire. England