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Shot brood

honey bee, shot brood

Honey bee comb with brood of different ages scattered irregularly. This brood pattern is often called "shot brood" (other names: "pepperpot brood", "pepperbox brood"). It usually indicates high mortality of brood. The mortality can be related to brood diseases or presence of diploid drones. Shot brood can also occur when the queen has problems with egg laying.