worker cells. This condition of the cappings is also present in the 
case of a “drone laying” queen, but the eggs for the most part are 
normally placed in the bottom of the cell. 
DRONE 
The drone (Fig. 4) is the male bee and, so far as is known, 
serves no useful purpose except to fertilize the queen. 
He is reared in a cell shaped like the worker cell but larger and 
measures one fourth of an inch in diameter. He is hatched from an 
unfertilized egg in three days from the time it is deposited in the cell. 
Fig. 4. Drone—Redrawn ABC. 
The tiny grub is then fed in a manner similar to the workers, is sealed 
over at the end of the feeding period (seven days) and fourteen days 
later, or twenty-four days from the time the egg was deposited, comes 
forth from the cell fully developed. It is believed a drone is not 
capable of fertilizing a queen until about two weeks old. Drones are 
present in a normal colony only during that season of the year when 
queen mating normally occurs; hence, there are no drones in a normal 
colony in winter. Drones fly from the hive for exercise and to void the 
feces. They are not capable of gathering their own food, but feed upon 
the stores within the hive. After the season has passed when queen 
mating is possible, or at a time when there is a severe dearth of nectar. 
the drones are driven from the hive by the workers and perish from 
cold and hunger. Their lifetime, therefore, may vary from a few 
days to a few months. 
Appearance 
In appearance, as compared with other members of the colony. 
ihe drone is a massive fellow. His whole body is larger and has 
the appearance of being cumbersome. The most marked difference 
is in the abdomen, which is larger in every way and very blunt at 
the posterior end. He has no sting. 
14 
