Drone bee question

Started by Boom Buzz, August 19, 2009, 08:37:24 PM

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Boom Buzz

August 19, 2009, 08:37:24 PM
Today while observing my hive I saw a number of drone bees arriving at the entrance.  I have not seen this before on any of my hives.  Just wondering if it is common to see them.  I "assumed" that they were really only active outside the hive when mating with the queen.  So, does the presence of the drones outside indicate a new queen and thus some mating flights?  Or is it possible they were just out "flying" since they don't forage? 

Sorry for such a newbee question.  I feel like I should already know this, and a google search didn't show anything on this... thanks for any comments!

John

indypartridge

#1
August 20, 2009, 12:31:04 PM
Quote from: holdthematers on August 19, 2009, 08:37:24 PM
Just wondering if it is common to see them.  I "assumed" that they were really only active outside the hive when mating with the queen. So, does the presence of the drones outside indicate a new queen and thus some mating flights? 
Your drones will typically be out flying everyday, looking for virgin queens.  Drones gather in what are know as "DCAs": Drone Congregation Areas; sort of like a singles bar in the sky. They hang out all day, hoping a virgin queen flies by. Queens typically avoid mating with drones from their own hive. They often fly to a DCA beyond where the "local" drones hang out. Pretty amazing, actually, that a queen can leave the hive and "know" where to go to meet guys.

Boom Buzz

#2
August 20, 2009, 01:18:13 PM
Thanks Indy!  I had no idea!  DCAs huh?  You are right - AMAZING stuff!  Not sure why I haven't seen many drones before - maybe just not very observant or bad timing.  The only times I recall seeing them is in doing removals and I was surprised to see so many.

Thanks for the reply!

John

Joelel

#3
August 20, 2009, 04:22:59 PM
Quote from: holdthematers on August 19, 2009, 08:37:24 PM
Today while observing my hive I saw a number of drone bees arriving at the entrance.  I have not seen this before on any of my hives.  Just wondering if it is common to see them.  I "assumed" that they were really only active outside the hive when mating with the queen.  So, does the presence of the drones outside indicate a new queen and thus some mating flights?  Or is it possible they were just out "flying" since they don't forage? 

Sorry for such a newbee question.  I feel like I should already know this, and a google search didn't show anything on this... thanks for any comments!

John

I hear a queen mates with several different drones while mating.I also hear your hive can have different kind of bees. Anyone know about that ?
Acts2:37: Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39: For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40: And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation

indypartridge

#4
August 21, 2009, 07:44:55 AM
Quote from: Joelel on August 20, 2009, 04:22:59 PM
I hear a queen mates with several different drones while mating.I also hear your hive can have different kind of bees. Anyone know about that ?
Yes, queens mate with several drones. According to Larry Conner's "Bee Sex Essentials" a queen may mate with as many as 45 drones, but the average is 13.2 (page 99). Studies have shown that "promiscuous" queens which mate with many drones create healthier hives because of the genetic diversity. Different bees in the hive are the result of different fathers. In fact, when it comes to supercedure, there are rivalries between the different groups of step-sisters.
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