Drone

Definition

A male bee whose primary role is to mate with a queen bee; in some ant and termite species, the term can refer to a fertile male as well.

Etymology

From Old English 'drān', meaning 'male honeybee', and derived from the Proto-Germanic '*dranjaz'.

Example

Drones are typically expelled from the hive by worker bees at the end of the summer.

Synonyms

• Male bee

Related Terms

• Queen bee
• Worker bee
• Hive
• Brood

Usage Notes

Drones do not have stingers and are fed by worker bees. They are essential for the reproduction of the colony but are not involved in other hive activities.