Baby drone bees stupid question

[billdean]

I can recognize full grown drones by their larger size, but with them just soon to start emerging how can you tell baby ones? Is there an easy way?

[Dallasbeek]

I should think they would emerge as larger bees than workers.  Unlike mammals, I think they are "born" pretty close to full size.  I could be wrong on this, though.  Queens undergo some changes after mating, however, so that's different.  Can someone correct me if I'm off base on this, please?

[divemaster1963]

you can tell by looking. they have the same demisions as adult drones. short cubby abdomins they look fatter than workers even when new born.

john

[Acebird]

Was the hive completely full of drawn comb and not enough available drone comb?  That is the only thing I can think of.  The size of the bee is dependent on the comb size.

[billdean]

Was the hive completely full of drawn comb and not enough available drone comb?  That is the only thing I can think of.  The size of the bee is dependent on the comb size.

No. The hive has a lot of capped drone brood but I don't think by any means its to much. I may of miss spoke as to say the hive was completely full of drone, when I meant to say there was some capped drone brood. Maybe 5 to 10% of the total hive. Just trying to figure out what young drones look like. I no last summer they were easy to spot because of there larger size.

[BeeMaster2]

The best way to tell if a bee is a drone or not is by the eyes. Drone eyes are fully touching together where as workers have hair between them.
Young drones are fussier than the older ones. They are borne close to full size.
Jim

[Michael Bush]

Young bees of all castes are fuzzy pretty much all over but particularly on their back.  Older bees have a smooth spot on their back where the fuzz is gone.