Impact of pesticides on honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) drones

Abstract

Published research about drones is far less extensive than either worker or queen bees because they do not contribute to pollination, brood or honey production. However, much of the reproductive quality of the queen, though, is a function of the mating success and quality of the drones. Besides, studies of drones could help in breeding programs by improving the efficiency and quality of mating. Drones whose reproductive competitiveness is affected by several environmental and in-hive factors during development or adulthood may contribute dead or suboptimal sperm to a queen. It can have severe negative consequences not only for the queen herself but for overall productivity and survival of her colony. Drones are very sensitive to acaricides and insecticides. Most of them have negative impacts not only on drone semen quality such as spermatozoid viability and concentration but also on drone production and their traits.