Hello All ---

I constantly hear (in presentations, in popular bee literature, in the news
media) that drones' sole function in the hive is for queen mating.  Yet, I
recall several years ago during my first exposure to beekeeping someone
mentioning that if drones are removed, the hive is not quite "right".  I
inferred that drones are needed for some general hive "balance".  Anyone
know of any research published that indicates this ?

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Vogt
13 hives and growing
Vashon, WA USA (island west of Seattle)

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