When Bees Swarm: The Role of Drones and the Queen
Introduction to Bee Swarms and Drones
Bee swarms are fascinating natural phenomena, often arising when a colony reaches a certain size and density. During swarming, the old hive is left without a queen as the industrious worker bees and the old queen depart to establish a new colony. But what about the drones? Are they brought along as well, and if not, what is their role in the process?
The Role of Drones in Bee Swarms
In a typical swarm, drones – the male bees that do not produce honey nor gather nectar—do not play an active role in the formation of a new hive. Drones do not participate in defense or in building the hive as they lack stingers. However, sometimes one might observe drones present in swarms they observe. This could be due to accidental presence or following the scent of the queen. Drones are actually not necessary in the swarm since they are not critical for establishing the new colony. The newly-born queen can attract drones from other hives during her mating flight.
The Queen Bee in a Swarm
The queen bee is the most important individual in the swarm. She is the only fertile female, and her absence would render the swarm incapable of forming a new colony. Once the queen departs, the remaining worker bees focus on beginning the process of rearing a new queen within the old hive. Nurse worker bees select young larvae, typically less than five days old, and feed them large quantities of royal jelly. These larvae develop much faster and become significantly larger than standard bee larvae, eventually developing the necessary reproductive organs.
The Rearing of a New Queen
When six to a dozen or more larvae are selected, the bee colony aims to rear a new queen. The process is orchestrated with precision; the future queen grows rapidly, becoming about 1.5 times the size of a standard worker bee. The queen cell, built with an extra-large wax structure, is a clear indicator that a new queen is being reared.
The Mating Flight of the Queen
About 16 days after selecting and feeding the larvae, one of these young queens will emerge as a virgin queen. Once her wings are strong enough, the new queen will depart the hive on a mating flight. The queen’s pheromones attract drones, leading to a mating flight where the fastest drone catches up to her, mating with her. After several matings, the newly-mated queen returns to the hive, ready to take on her primary role: laying up to 2000 eggs per day.
Conclusion
Bee swarms are a vital part of the lifecycle of honeybee colonies. Drones are not essential in the initial stages of the swarm but play an crucial role in the mating process. Queens are central to establishing new hives, and their careful rearing ensures the continuity of the colony. Understanding these processes can unravel the mysteries of bee behavior and contribute to the protection and support of these essential pollinators.