What cell size do bees naturally build

[Wingy]

I'm only asking out of interest as I've been observing my bees and it's my first full year.
Ok overwintered in a 5 frame Langstroth nuc consisting 3 x super frames & 2 x brood frames (don't ask it just happened that way). They were then transferred to a full BB where they expanded rapidly. The 3 super frames had been extended downwards with all drone comb at the bottom. That's what I expected so no surprise there.
I then added a super above QX all new frames & foundation again bit of a mix up I got Langstroth shallow foundation so it was a bit short in the frames. This is the surprising bit the bees added their own bit to the bottom of the frame but drone size cells. No issues they are filling with honey just fine. Just curious why they made larger cells

 

[DanBee]

Can't remember the worker cell measurement ranges, but that's only a google away. They vary due to a number of factors, including variation over time in the same colony. Once 'small cell' was thought to be the cure for varroa... but it wasn't.

As regards why they built drone comb, they do it because they want it, particularly in spring. Colonies will happily draw a full sheet of drone if given a starter strip next to the edge of the brood nest at this time of year, indeed it is often the first foundation/comb that they draw. Strong colonies will happily maintain 2 combs of drone comb, with it regularly re-laid.

Beekeepers fell into a lazy and incorrect assumption (oft repeated) that drones were merely a draw on colony resources, so drones and drone comb were minimised. Drones are now recognised to be a vital part of good mating (sort of obvious) and also for contented colonies - a more natural state of affairs. The only downside is that drone brood is a varroa incubator...

 

[taurus]

If I put a couple of empty frames in they always draw drone comb - so I guess they know what they want.

 

[Wingy]

Thanks for the replies, I expected the drone comb to be made in the BB but was surprised to see it built in the super above the QX.

 

[wessexmario]

Thanks for the replies, I expected the drone comb to be made in the BB but was surprised to see it built in the super above the QX.

BB, super, QX. The bees don't know those things, nor do they appreciate the significance of the QX to the queen.

They've built the drone comb where there was available space at the periphery of the brood nest, oblivious to the fact that the queen will never visit there.