Dashon honey

  Drone Pheromones in Apis mellifera Honey bees communicate extensively through pheromones, with most research focused on the queen and workers. Drones (male bees) also produce pheromones, although far less is known about them. Recent studies have begun to illuminate the chemical signals male honey bees produce, when they produce them, and how these cues function in mating and colony dynamics (Gryboś et al., 2025). Pheromone Sources and Chemical Nature in Drones Male honey bee pheromones derive primarily from the drones’ mandibular glands. Chemical analyses show that drone mandibular gland secretions are dominated by fatty acids (both saturated and unsaturated, some with methyl branching) ranging roughly from 9 to 22 carbons in length (Villar et al., 2018). Notably, two major components identified are hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid) and (Z)-9-octadecenoic acid (oleic acid) (Lensky et al., 1985). These compounds and a few others make up the bulk of the drone’s pheromonal blend. ...