Hi all
I think that in most locations, there is an abundance of drones in season and that mating will be a mixture of drones from a wide area. Ruttner stated:

> We have tested the 'security' of mating stations by using genetically marked queens and drones (cordovan), and almost nowhere was mating with foreign drones prevented by geographical isolation. In the Alps, in places 4 - 5 km. from the nearest apiary, and supplied with the drones of 4 colonies, we obtained a varying percentage of pure matings (0- 16%); the rest were mixed matings. Thus in European conditions complete isolation can only very rarely be achieved - except on islands in the sea.

Ruttner, F. The Life and Flight Activity of Drones. Bee World Vol. 47 , Iss. 3, 1966

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