Development of Drones, 105 



cells (Fig. 53, a), in manner already described. The drone 

 cells are one-fourth of an inch in diameter, and project 

 beyond the worker-cells, so they are a little more than 

 one-half of an inch long. As stated by Bevan, the drone 

 feeds six and a half days as a larva, before the cell is capped. 

 The capping of the drone-cells is very convex, and pro- 

 jects beyond the plane of the same in worker-cells, so that 

 the drone brood is easily distinguished from worker, and 

 from the darker color — the wax being thicker and less 

 pure — the capping of both drone and worker brood-cells 

 enables us easily to distinguish them from honey-cells. In 

 twenty-four days from the laying of the eggs, the drones 

 come forth from the cells. Of course, variation of tem- 

 perature and other conditions, as variable amount of diet, 

 may slightly I'etard or advance the development of any 

 "brood, in the different stages. The drones — in fact all 

 bees — ^when they first emerge from the cells, are gray, and 

 are easily distinguished from the mature bee. 



Just what the longevity of the male bee is, I am unable 

 to state. It is probable," judging from analogy, that they 

 live till accident, the worker bees, or the performance of 

 their natural function cause their death. The worker 

 bees may kill off the drones at any time, which they do by 

 constantly biting and worrying them ; though principally 

 "by withholding their chyle food. They may also destroy 

 the drone-brood. It is not very rare to see workers carry- 

 ing out immature drones even in mid-summer. At the same 

 time they may destroy inchoate queens. Such action is 

 prompted by a sudden check in the yield of honey, and in 

 case of drones is common only at the close of the season. 

 The bees seem very cautious and far-sighted. If the signs 

 of the times presage a famine, they stay all proceedings 

 looking to the increase of colonies. On the other hand, 

 nectar secretion by the flowers, rapid increase of brood, 

 crowded quarters — w^hatever the age of the queen — are 

 sure to bring many of the male bees, while any circum- 

 stances that indicate a nee^ of drones in the near future, 

 like loss or impotency of the queen, will prevent their 

 ■destruction even in late autumn. 



