Brood Pattern

[manowar422]

I inspected my hives this afternoon. Found something curious
and thought maybe someone could shed some light on this.

I was saving some drawn comb frames for honey supers this
year, but when I captured a swarm three weeks ago, I put
these frames in with the swarm.

The frames were from last year, drawn on 4.9 foundation.
Last year's queen laid great football shaped patterns on these
frames as they were in the heart of the brood nest. The centers
of these frames are dark brown (perfectly normal right) and
the cells are REALLY small!

To my surprise, I found five of these frames where the swarm
queen has not utilized these cells, but laid all around the outside
edges of these frames. Almost like the cells are too small for her?

The swarm queen is relativly the same size as the other marked
queens (Italian) that I have. If anything, she is a bit slimmer :?

They are not using these cells at all! No nectar or pollen!

What's up with this?

[Michael Bush]

She may get to them.  I don't know.  I've only had one fat queen who couldn't lay in small cells.  The bees replaced her for me before I got around to it.

[manowar422]

Thanks Micheal :)

I'll have to keep a close eye on this.

BTW congrats on you milestone on the other forum 8)