Effects of comb age on honey bee colony growth and brood survivorship

This research examined the effects of comb age on honey bee colony growth a nd brood survivorship. Experimental old combs were of an unknown age, but w ere dark and heavy as typical of combs one or more years old. New combs wer e produced just prior to the beginning of the experiment and had never had brood previously reared in them. Either old or new combs were installed int o each of 21-24 nucleus colonies each year over a three-year period. On ave rage, colonies with new comb produced a greater area (cm(2)) of brood, a gr eater area (cm(2)) of sealed brood, and a higher weight of individual young bees (mg). Brood survivorship was the only variable significantly higher i n old comb.