The food of adult drone honeybees (Apis mellifera)

Abstract

Summaryo

1. 1.

   Drone behaviour inside the hive has beenstudied by general observation of numerous marked drones, and by continuous observation of two particular drones for predetermined periods each day.

2. 2.

   Drones spend nearly threequarters of theirtime whilst inside the hive in periods of apparent inactivity which are frequently broken by periods of movement over the combs.

3. 3.

   For the first few days of their lives dronesare fed entirely by workers. This is followed by a period in which they are both fed by workers, although not to such an extent as previously, and feed themselves from honey cells. After they are about a week old they tend to feed themselves entirely and do not beg food from workers.

4. 4.

   Worker bees 2–26 days old were seen tofeed drones although those of 4–6 days old were most active in so doing. It is most probable that the workers feed drones with brood food.

5. 5.

   The behaviour of workers toward a drone appears to depend upon his age. At the same time as some of the older drones are being attacked by workers the younger drones present are still being fed.

6. 6.

   The workers who attack drones are probably unemployed foragers.