Are drone bees typically present in colonies throughout the year?

Drone bees are not typically present in colonies year-round; their population fluctuates with the seasons and the reproductive cycle of the hive. Drones are male bees primarily produced for the purpose of mating with a queen during her reproductive period, which primarily occurs in the warmer months when the queen is actively laying eggs.

In spring and summer, the colony produces drones to ensure that there are enough available to mate with a queen during the swarming season. However, as fall approaches and the weather cools, the colony prepares for winter. At this time, drones are often expelled from the hive as they do not contribute to the survival of the colony during the colder months. The resources required to maintain drones during winter, when there is no mating or foraging occurring, lead colonies to reduce their numbers or eliminate them entirely. Therefore, it is accurate to say that drone bees are not always present, reinforcing that their lifecycle is closely tied to the seasonal dynamics and reproductive needs of the colony.