This photo shows a circular section of comb that bees have (mostly) cleared of larvae that were made to simulate diseased brood. Bees will remove the capping on these “diseased” larvae and take them out of the hive before the pathogen can reach it’s infectious stage, thus keeping the colony healthy! We usually hope for about 95% removal after 24 hours so this is not a super hygienic colony. Check out a recent Field Notes entry to learn more about bee division of labor.

[Photo and caption by Adrian Perez]