Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => General Beekeeping => Topic started by: Jen on March 31, 2019, 04:10:56 pm

Title: How Old For Drones To Take Flight
Post by: Jen on March 31, 2019, 04:10:56 pm

The day the drone hatches... how many days until he will take flight?

Title: Re: How Old For Drones To Take Flight
Post by: tecumseh on April 01, 2019, 06:44:38 am

a good question to ask Sue C. when she gets here in May...

I am GUESSING it would have something to do with the hardening of their exoskeleton.

Title: Re: How Old For Drones To Take Flight
Post by: Bakersdozen on April 01, 2019, 08:26:34 am

According to Dr. Juliana Rangel, drones take orientation flights on Day 8 after emergence.

Title: Re: How Old For Drones To Take Flight
Post by: Jen on April 01, 2019, 12:00:51 pm

Great thread here :) Sooo, a drone will hatch. In one week it will emerge to the greater world, in another week the drone will be sexually mature to mate.

Thinking science here ...… it would make sense that it is essential for the drone to be in flight a few days to become sexually mature. Maybe the flying has something to do with it, or could very well be that the drones will pal up and muscle up together, Are You Ready To Rumble ?!?!?

 :D If the drone is a momma's boy and won't leave home, he will be a low down, good for nuthin' sucker fish.  :D

Title: Re: How Old For Drones To Take Flight
Post by: Bakersdozen on April 01, 2019, 06:43:53 pm

Drones are born with more sperm than they will ever use.
So, let's track it.
Emerge from cell on Day 24
Orientation flights on Day 32.
Reach sexual maturity some where between Days 36 and 44. 
The queen will travel 200 yards +/-, but with in 1 mile from her colony, to a drone congregating area to mate with drones from other colonies.  There she will mate with 15-20 drones.