Brown Larvae

brooklynbees · June 01, 2011, 09:12:48 PM

got a nuc last week and transferred it to a deep within a day of receipt. On inspection today couldn't find the queen and noticed that the small larvae (tiny tiny ones) were brownish (not white like the pictures in the book). The comb is also brownish cream to dark brown in places and empty. There is capped brood but not a lot. Can you give me your opinion on this?

hankdog1 · June 01, 2011, 09:28:06 PM

i'd try getting my money back instead of sinking more into them. need to make sure you don't have any eggs before making that call though.

Michael Bush · June 02, 2011, 12:22:56 AM

Is the nuc full of bees? Chilled brood will turn brown, but a nuc full of bees shouldn't have that issue.

sc-bee · June 02, 2011, 01:35:05 AM

>The comb is also brownish cream to dark brown in places and empty

This sounds to me like brood comb where the bees have hatched. After each hatching a cocoon is left in the cell thus turing the area darker with each hatching. Nothing to be alarmed about.

No comment on the larvae --- seems to me it is a have to be there call or close up pictures.

brooklynbees · June 02, 2011, 06:35:50 PM

Thanks for the comments.
I opened again today to check status and didn't see any eggs (2 days after last opening) and no marked queen (again)so I ordered a new queen and will introduce her when she arrives. So much for that non-stressful hobby the doctor suggested. ;)

Brian D. Bray · June 03, 2011, 02:20:08 AM

Quote from: brooklynbees on June 02, 2011, 06:35:50 PM
Thanks for the comments.
I opened again today to check status and didn't see any eggs (2 days after last opening) and no marked queen (again)so I ordered a new queen and will introduce her when she arrives. So much for that non-stressful hobby the doctor suggested. ;)

Beekeeping is so engrossing that is a cure all for whatever ails you. What me worry? I've got bees, I'm too worried to be worried.

Michael Bush · June 03, 2011, 02:59:02 AM

I see no reason to ever worry about queenlessness. If you suspect a hive is queenless give them some eggs and walk away. If they had a virgin, you didn't interfere. You didn't waste your money on a new queen who will just get killed. You didn't spend any time looking for a queen. You just gave them the resources to deal with it no matter what the cause. It does not need to be stressful.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beespanacea.htm