Odd natural comb variations

tjc1 · April 19, 2015, 12:45:10 PM

Was going through frames from a dead-out when I came across this frame of natural (no foundation) comb. Anyone have any idea why the cells are different? Interestingly, the thick-walled cells are mirrored on both sides of the comb, as can be seen in the photos.

Side one:

Side two:

Close-up thick walled cells:

biggraham610 · April 19, 2015, 04:58:48 PM

Maybe they were originally drone cells and the bees built them up to get them back to worker sized cells after the drone rush. Usually they would just use them for honey storage in my brief experience, but maybe they had other Ideas if it was near the center of the broodnest. G

OldMech · April 20, 2015, 10:56:58 AM

you can see the dividing line between standard cells and the thicker walled cells.. I would also have to say those are re purposed drone cells.

Michael Bush · April 20, 2015, 05:24:35 PM

Transitions. Bee do them all the time...

tjc1 · April 21, 2015, 07:23:00 PM

Hi Michael - transitions in what sense - from drone to honey or worker cells? But what are the thick walls for?

GSF · April 22, 2015, 06:36:13 AM

If they plan to use it for brood then I would think they are reducing the inner circle. Worker cells are smaller than drone.

Michael Bush · April 22, 2015, 03:55:45 PM

They have a thick mouth, all comb has a somewhat thicker mouth, it reinforces the surface. I'm not sure if they have a thicker wall without measuring it.

"When they construct a new comb there is a regular gradation in all the parts next to the edge, to which they appear to be accustomed and which may be necessary in the formation of new cells. But those edge cells are prolonged later like the cells of the rest of the surface, so that they no longer preserve the decreasing gradation observed in new combs. Thus it is evidently for the purpose of restoring the comb to its primitive form that they reduce the depth of the cells proportionally to their distance from the edge. Note: This reinforced edge that Huber refers to is obvious in its absence when you are extracting and having cut the thicker outside edge off the cells are very fragile. The bees quickly reinforce the edge again.?Transcriber."--Huber's New Observations Upon Bees, Volume II, Chapter V