Apidologie 36 (2005) 211-221
DOI: 10.1051/apido:2005011

Drone competition at drone congregation areas in four Apis species

Nikolaus Koeniger^a, Gudrun Koeniger^a, Michael Gries^a and Salim Tingek<sup>b

a</sup>   Institut für Bienenkunde (Polytechnische Gesellschaft), Fachbereich Biologie und Informatik der J.W. Goethe - Universität Frankfurt, Karl-von-Frisch-Weg 2, 61440 Oberursel, Germany
^b   Agricultural Research Station Tenom, Petit Surat 197, 89908 Tenom, Malaysia

(Received 6 January 2005 - Revised 27 January 2005 - Accepted 31 January 2005; Published online: 1 June 2005)

Abstract - In Apis mellifera the estimated average number of drones visiting a drone congregation area (DCA) was 11 750 + 2 145. Drones of the species Apis cerana, A. koschevnikovi, A. dorsata and A. mellifera, which pursued a queen dummy moving in circular course, flew in a comet shaped formation. Median numbers of drones in a comet ranged from 9 drones (A. koschevnikovi) to 31 drones (A. mellifera). In none of the species we observed aggression between drones. Drone density behind the queen and distance to the queen seemed to be adjusted to avoid collisions between drones. The median flight speed ranged from 2.6 m/s (A. koschevnikovi) to 4.1 m/s (A. dorsata). The median duration of a drone's presence in the mating comet did not exceed 2 seconds. Drones of all species had the ability of high acceleration (10 to 20 m/s²). Either by overtaking or leaving/entering the comet drones seem to compete for more promising positions. Only drones flying in a limited space of not more than 2000 cm³ behind the queen were successful in grasping the dummy.

Key words: Apis reproduction / mating behavior / drone congregation area / drone competition / drone numbers

Corresponding author: Gudrun Koeniger Gudrun.Koeniger @em.uni-frankfurt.de

© INRA, DIB-AGIB, EDP Sciences 2005