Cell Size

The natural cell size in the Philippines is just 4.6mm but the standard foundation used is 5.4mm Dadant style. Left to themselves the bees ...

The natural cell size in the Philippines is just 4.6mm but the standard foundation used is 5.4mm Dadant style. Left to themselves the bees would produce 4.6mm. Some facts...

1. Hot air in the tropics is thinner and less dense. For a high energy insect like a honey bee the ability to get oxygen to all parts of the body is vital. Therefore bees in the tropics that forage and are highly energetic will tend to be smaller.
2. Varroa parasite evolved and lives in balance with the local Cerana honey bee; not wanting to destroy a colony but exploit it. If the colony dies the varroa mite dies too. Varroa prefer drone cells as it is least likely to cause damage to the overall colony health. Drone size in the tropics is 5.0mm+ . Problem is the US foundation is larger than Cerana drones so the varroa attack regular brood too. If left to make their own comb then after a few generations the worker comb would be under 4.9mm and no longer targeted by varroa and a balance would be achieved.
3. US brood comb was originally 4.9 but it was decided bigger bees would be better bees about the turn of the 20th century. A good decision perhaps until the advent of varroa.
4. Foundation available in the Philippines is mostly Chinese and likely full of pesticides. There are no measure or checks in place. China has a shortage of honey bees as the heavy use of pesticides have killed native pollinators. Given that human hand pollination of fruit is still necessary in much of China and the high demand for bees then where is the supply of wax coming from? Is it not collapsed colonies?
5. Nectar is plentiful in the Philippines and all the bees need to make their own comb.

Does it not make sense to just let the bees make their own comb? Yes it does.

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