What is a supercedure cell?

A supercedure cell is specifically designed for raising a new queen bee. In beekeeping, supercedure occurs when an existing queen is replaced, usually because she is aging or not performing well in her role. The colony will then create one or more of these supercedure cells, which are larger than standard brood cells. Inside these cells, a larva selected from the existing worker brood is fed a special diet of royal jelly, allowing it to develop into a new queen. This process ensures the continued health and productivity of the hive by allowing the colony to replace its queen when necessary.

In contrast, the other options refer to different functions within the hive. Storing honey and pollen is handled by dedicated honey and pollen cells, while brood cells serve to rear worker and drone bees, but they do not specifically create new queens. Thus, understanding the specific function of supercedure cells highlights their critical role in maintaining a healthy bee population.