Drone Roles and Mating

1 . What is the role of drones in swarming?

The workers begin to make drone cells before they produce queen cells for swarming. Drone cells are larger than normal worker cells and the queen knows this because she detects them with her forelegs and lays a non-fertilized egg in the cell to make a drone.

2 . When do drones begin their mating flights?

At the age of 4 days, drones begin their mating flights.

3 . Where do drones go to mate?

The DCA (Drone Congregation Area). Usually a short distance from the colony oriented towards a visible landmark. DCA’s are a consistent location year to year, although the drones are new and different each year. Drones fly within the DCA and await the arrival of a virgin queen. As the queen approaches the DCA, she emits 9ODA (QMP) from her mandibular glands which attract the drones from about 20- 30 feet away. Mating is in the air and lethal to the drones. The queen will make up to 3 mating flights per day and mate with multiple drones (which is called polyandry).