Body size and reproductive success of drones (Apis mellifera L)

Abstract - We compared drones of different body size. Small drones were reared in worker cells while large drones originated from drone cells. We used the cordovan (cd) mutant as a marker. The distribution of drone types in a drone congregation area was monitored by pheromone traps. No significant differences in temporal, horizontal and vertical distributions of large (cd) drones were found, either in comparison with large (+) or in the experiment with small (+) drones. The offspring of homozygous cordovan (cd/cd) queens which were mated during the experiment by (cd) and (+) drones was examined. We compared the ratio of (cd/cd) and (cd/+) workers to the drone ratio at time of the mating flight. Small drones had a reproductive disadvantage compared with large drones. Large (cd) drones had a lower reproductive success compared to large (+) drones.