They look roughly like this, almost as if the cell has folds in the side walls.
If as per the sketched deformity the outline is for a group of cells bounded by
normal cells I'd hang my hat on a build gone wrong, keeping in mind cells are
built by bees in cluster whereas teardowns can be performed by one or more
individuals.
It is likely more informative to look at the whole cell from Y to top rather than focus
only on what is seen at the face. That said it is not uncommon to see whole large
areas of frame realestate mowed almost back to the Y in rebuilding combs.
I'd offer it (your observation) is more of something to note/ monitor as a point of
interest than any cause for concern.
Just out of interest (related) we have just spent a couple of days going through combs
cutting back these types of deformities from the lower extents of combs. As Spring
comes on these bits of realestate will be built out (correctly) as new comb.
It is "foxtail polishing" but as the inspection has to be done anyway for swarm
assessments we believe it pays to do our own housekeeping beyond what bees
believe is "okay" 0r "she'll be right".
Bill
