Empty half queen cell

[bpmurray]

I came across something I hadn't seen before in my limited experience. I found a queen cell that was empty, but it was about half the length of a normal full-sized QC, i.e. much larger than a play cup. My assumption was that the hive is thinking about superseding her majesty, but she doesn't seem that bad - 4 frames of brood after an artificial swarm 3 weeks ago.

Any ideas?

 

[bontbee]

They might have started a QC but then, for whatever reason, removed the contents. I have seen a few QCs this week with no larvae and the royal jelly well nibbled, (as in the not-too-brilliant pic) and others elongated but completely dry, as you describe,

 

[enrico]

It happens, which Is why you will see advice to keep a queen cell where you can see larvae rather than a sealed cell.
E