Other brood conditions to note

Queen half-moon syndrome

The larvae die before capping in a twisted letter C shape (half-moon).

The larvae changes from the pearly-white to a yellow or light brown and then dark brown with their tracheal lines still present.

Many cells contain multiple eggs, often in chains

Drone eggs are laid in the smaller worker cells.

The queen may be superseded.

Cause –

Poor nutrition after emergence of the queen

Bald Brood

The cappings to the worker cells are abnormal. There is a round hole in the cappings. Damage is often in a straight line of cells. The head of the pupae under the damaged cap appear normal and are alive The pupae normally will still continue pupation and emerge normally.

Cause –

Larvae of the Greater Wax Moth chewing through the cappings of pupating larvae

Control –

Remove wax moths from hives.

1. The cappings are absent or deformed

Possible genetic defect.

Introduce new queen.

Drone laying queen

Domed drone cappings over worker cells

Abnormally small done pupae within cells

Unsealed brood may be neglected and dying

Cause – Done laying queen

Treatment – Replace queen

Laying workers

Domed drone cappings over worker cells Abnormally small done pupae within cells Unsealed brood may be neglected and dying Multiple eggs may in present in cells adhering to sides of the cell

A queen cell

Cause – No queen

Treatment –

Unhealthy hive –

Kill hive and sterilize equipment before reuse.

Healthy hive -

Move colony 20 m from its original position

Remove all the brood frames and shake bees off each comb onto the ground

Allow the bees to find their way into other colonies

Sterilise equipment before reuse.

Multiple eggs laid in the cells

Foundation wire

The layout of the wires supporting the comb may interfere with the bee’s willingness to use the cells above the wires. This leads to a line of empty cells.

Empty cells in a line may indicate the position of the foundation wires
	Note the foundation wires (arrowed) within the frame foundation.