Queens, Drone Congregation Areas, and the English Channel.

[BeeJayBee]

Is it true that queens prefer not to fly over the sea, or large bodies of water? If so, do drones have the same preference? Obviously they can be blown off course and carried along by the wind, but then might not be able to get home again.

Does anybody know how wide the water would need to be around an island to make an bee-proof exclusion zone?

 

[drstitson]

"Is it true that queens prefer not to fly over the sea, or large bodies of water?"

given that they often (always?) fall to the ground during/after mating i'd imagine that reproductive success was more assured for those which avoided the sea for mating flights!!!!!

 

[BeeJayBee]

"Is it true that queens prefer not to fly over the sea, or large bodies of water?"

given that they often (always?) fall to the ground during/after mating i'd imagine that reproductive success was more assured for those which avoided the sea for mating flights!!!!!

Ah! Good point!

 

[drstitson]

The other issue is that there is often a breeze off sea towards land. that is likely to act as a barrier.

 

[Poly Hive]

I believe the Germans like 4-6 miles between their isolated mating stations on islands though may have this confused with kms.

PH

 

[Hivemaker.]

The drones come from colonies headed by queens he bought unmated from Denmark.

Do you know what breed of bees these are Rooftops.