Drone brood with yellowish tops

[Etton]

Took a picture of worker together with drone brood here in East Yorks. The drone brood has yellowish caps to them… not seen this before. ( It’s old comb & I know a bit late for drones. )
Any thoughts on this phenomenon of yellow capings?

 

[ericbeaumont]

drone brood has yellowish caps

Common sight; I reckon wax is removed by bees to thin the capping prior to emergence, as they do with a QC.

 

[Antipodes]

Took a picture of worker together with drone brood here in East Yorks. The drone brood has yellowish caps to them… not seen this before. ( It’s old comb & I know a bit late for drones. )
Any thoughts on this phenomenon of yellow capings?View attachment 37894

Unless it is just the camera/photo, it's noticeable on the worker brood too, but less obvious.
When you say " a bit late for drones", it seems not all colonies kick out the drones at the same time, despite regular (every year!) early reports of drone eviction. It's the same down here. That's how the late matings can occur I guess, despite our expectations to the contrary. Bees know best!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I think with the standard Hoffman spacing most tend to use, the cappings on drone brood tends to rub on the opposite comb when frames are lifted for inspection

 

[drex]

Whatever the cause, it is due to partial uncapping. I see it so often, I regard it as normal.