The purposes Drones Serve

[FordGuy]

I thought this might make an interesting topic, and maybe a subchapter in Mr. Bush's book...haha.

So I'll post a few and maybe you fellers can add some more...

1. they insiminate the queen that superceded the one you bought so your hive don't die;

2. drone brood serves as test brood for verroa;

3. drones coming and going sacrifice themselves to birds and insect predators (dragonflies, bee killers, hornets) that would otherwise attack workers.

keep going!

[naturebee]

4. My favorite, larvae make good fish bait. smile.gif

5. Or food: smile.gif

http://www.fao.org/docrep/w0076e/w0076e19.htm

[ June 23, 2006, 08:56 PM: Message edited by: Pcolar ]

[Michael Bush]

There is speculation that they help keep the brood warm on cold and rainy days when they drones don't fly but the foragers do. They buzz predators, and maybe this warns the guards? It does sometimes scare the predator. They help the morale of a hive.

[CWBees]

The hear the larvae would make excellent food for the Gouldian finches I breed. Much better than mealy worms.

[naturebee]

--They buzz predators,

Intresting!
Where is this referenced?

[Mike Gillmore]

MB: >They buzz predators, and maybe this warns the guards? <

Pcolar: > --They buzz predators,

Intresting!
Where is this referenced? <


I can give you one personal reference.
A few weeks back I was working next to one of my hives leveling the soil to set up cinder blocks for a new hive. I was wearing no suit or veil not expecting to encounter any problems.

I'm not sure if vibration from the digging or my movement attracted their attention, but suddenly there were several drones circling my head and checking me out very carefully. This went on for a minute or so and then came the cavalry.... wham - 2 stings to the face and a couple tangled in the hair with several more trying to get at me.

I just thought it was interesting that the "drones" showed up first.

[ June 25, 2006, 12:27 PM: Message edited by: Mike Gillmore ]

[naturebee]

--I'm not sure if vibration from the digging or my movement attracted their attention, but suddenly there were several drones circling my head and checking me out very carefully.

This has happened to me, but I attributed it to drones orientating on an object (in this case a person) standing near the colonies, as returning bees will often do this. I have had drones circle me on several occasions when catching swarms also. Although sometimes they are intimidating to bystanders because of the louder sound they make, this also I attribute to drones orientating in an attempt to find the location of the swarm. But I could be wrong.

[wade]

They are the last ditch desparate effort to pass along some genes when a hopelessly queenless hive goes to laying workers.

[Michael Bush]

I've had similar experiences to Mike Gilmore's. I don't know of a reference off the top of my head. I'll keep my eyes open for one.