Author Topic: killing drones (Read 2472 times)

Kirk-o · « **on:** January 30, 2006, 08:10:22 pm »

Why do bees kill the Drones?
kirk

ian michael davison · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2006, 08:37:57 pm »

Hi Kirk
Bees don't necessarly kill the drones unless they remove under developed bees from the cells. But in the Autunm they are expelled from the hive as surplus to requirements. As the hive approaches winter there is no need for them as there will be no virgin queens around for them to mate with. Drones are only supported by a hive in order to spread the colonys genes.

Regards Ian

Apis629 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2006, 10:57:30 pm »

Unless your in an area that has mild winters with nectar and pollen flows in the winter. Although the population of drones in the hives are reduced, they never disapear down here.

Michael Bush · « **Reply #3 on:** January 30, 2006, 11:30:54 pm »

The drones are good insurance during periods where a queen could mate. They are just mouths to feed the rest of the time.

Finsky · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2006, 01:09:56 am »

I have noticed that when night tempereture goes in August near 0C , several hives start drone killing. Last autumn was very warm. Drones were in hives abnormally long time.

Michael Bush · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2006, 06:59:57 am »

The ferals, I notice, keep a few drones all year round. There are still a few here and there in the hives, even in the nucs. The Italians and the Buckfasts used to just massacre them all. :)