In a message dated 23/06/2006 12:02:51 GMT Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
I am correct in thinking that the queen mates with more than one drone ?
YES
If this is the case then her offspring may be a hotch potch of
characteristics ? One child may be aggressive, another one not.
Surely the queen cannot "mix the semen up" so that her offspring will
have uniform average characteristics ?
The stored sperms each remain separate and don't merge. If the queen mated
with a dozen drones there will be a dozen groups of half-sisters in the hive.
Chris
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---