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Why are drones important in the life cycle of western honeybees?

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bees on a honeycomb — Beekeeping Bees on a honeycomb.

In the life cycle of western honeybees, the primary and sole duty of the male drones is to mate with the queen.1

Drones are essential for the reproductive success and genetic health of the colony. When a virgin queen is approximately one week old, she embarks on mating flights, during which she mates with multiple drones—a behavior known as polyandry. This practice is vital because it increases the genetic diversity within the colony, which in turn improves the colony's overall fitness, survival, and ability to forage and produce new queens.23

Drones are reared by the colony only when resources like nectar and pollen are plentiful and the colony is populous. Because they do not forage or perform hive maintenance, they are typically driven from the hive to perish when food sources become scarce or during the onset of colder seasons. Drones die immediately after the act of mating.12