What is capped brood?

Capped brood refers specifically to the stage of development in honeybee larvae where they have reached the pupal stage and are sealed within their cells with a wax cap. This is an essential phase in the lifecycle of bees, as it marks the transition from a vulnerable larval stage to the adult bee. During capping, the worker bees cover the cells with wax, creating a protective environment that allows the pupae to mature safely. This process is crucial for the health of the colony, as it ensures that new adult bees will emerge to take on various roles within the hive, such as foraging or caring for younger bees.

In contrast, the presence of larvae that have not yet developed describes an earlier stage in the lifecycle, while eggs laid by the queen represent an even earlier stage of development. Food stores for the hive refer to the honey and pollen that bees collect and store for nourishment, which is unrelated to the development stages of bees. Understanding these definitions is key to grasping the lifecycle of honeybees and their developmental processes.