My analysis - Do you agree?

[tbonekel]

Let's see if I might have the issue correct on this one. First of all, the status of the hive. Capped brood, larvae of all ages and eggs are present. I did not see the queen today, but I saw her on the 25th (5 days ago). Many, many, many drones and these:


Cells appear to be empty and dry as a bone. They are located on the upper deep.

Here are my thoughts: I think the bees have decided that the queen is almost at the end of here usefulness and they are about to replace her. Since there are eggs, the queen is still there and potentially there is a virgin queen running around or on a mating flight.

Okay, whose with me?

[tbonekel]

Oh, and one more thing, I have mites. Actually the bees, not me. I saw some in looking at closeups of some of the pics. Great!

[LazyBkpr]

 I would say stop thinking that hard until you see eggs in those cups.   
    I have a few hives that keep cell cups handy and ready..  to threaten the queen with I assume. They tear them down and rebuild them every so often and I have to find the new ones so I can be watching for eggs.
   Looks like they are drawing comb and have room to expand, so I will stick my neck out and say they are in practice mode.  Queen cups are just queen cups until they get an egg.

[iddee]

I have to disagree. I say your hive is fine, and those are just everyday queen cups. You can find them about any time.Lazy posted at the same time. I agree with him, but I think you overthunk it. 

[G3farms]

If you saw eggs then the queen was there three days ago for sure.

Queen cup is what you are seeing, they are in all hives, just keeps the queen on her toes.

no need to worry..................yet! 

[G3farms]

I did see one mite in you pics.

[Bamabww]

Good pictures. I appreciate the replies. I didn't know sometimes queen cups are just for "practice" or to keep her majesty about her business. Thanks for the info.

[tbonekel]

Yes, that is some good info. Thanks guys!

[blueblood]

Good pictures. I appreciate the replies. I didn't know sometimes queen cups are just for "practice" or to keep her majesty about her business. Thanks for the info.

Yeap.  I went through a few hives yesterday to clean the rails and bottoms of the frame of bur comb and propolis.  I found clump of three cups.  I carefully detached it and put it with my pile of visual aids for visitors to the apiary or for classroom.

[apisbees]

The bees started drawing some weird comb looks like it could of been bridge comb between 2 frames then because they had already started on custom comb building decided to add a cell cup to the bottom of the sculpture.