While the cells were not yet covered, the queen larvae were fed intensively with royal jelly by the nurse bees.

On the 4th day after the larvae have developed 13 of the 28 larvae into queen cells. All cells are now capped. Inside the cell the noble maggot "sticks" on top in its feeding juice. Around the cell there are clusters of bees that protect the cells and keep the cells' temperature constant.

These are now protected with protective cages to prevent them from being obstructed. In each cage there are 2 to 3 accompanying bees, which are fed by the other bees and in turn feed the queen after she has hatched.

Now the time of the pupae dormancy follows, in which the metamorphosis from the streched maggot to the pupa takes place. As a pupa it hangs by a very fine thread on the cell lid and grows downwards. Therefore it is important to work very carefully and without vibrations.