Koirasmehiläiset

Koirasmehiläiset, often referred to as drones in English, are the male bees within a honey bee colony. Their primary and virtually sole function is to mate with a virgin queen from another colony. Unlike female worker bees, drones do not possess stingers, nor do they engage in foraging for nectar or pollen, or partake in hive maintenance. They are characterized by their larger eyes, which are adapted to spot queens in flight, and their stockier build compared to worker bees.

Drones develop from unfertilized eggs, a process known as parthenogenesis. This means they have half the number of chromosomes as worker bees and queens, inheriting only genetic material from their mother. This genetic makeup is also why they cannot reproduce with worker bees or other drones. Their lifespan is typically limited. If they successfully mate with a queen, they die immediately afterward. If they do not mate, they are usually expelled from the hive by the worker bees as winter approaches or when resources become scarce, as they are a drain on the colony's food supply.

The presence and number of drones in a colony fluctuate throughout the year, with their population peaking during the warmer months when mating flights are most likely to occur. While essential for the reproduction of the species, their role is specific and finite.