Drone rearing

Within the colony, the role of the drone is often poorly understood or even regarded as secondary. Yet males play a fundamental role in the transmission of genetic diversity. Gathered in so-called drone congregation areas comprising 1,000–15,000 individuals, they originate from many different colonies, sometimes located 10–15 km away. During the so-called drone flight, they mate with queens in succession (often up to 20 consecutive matings), thereby ensuring genetic mixing and preventing inbreeding.