Do bees die after mating?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the reproductive behavior of bees, specifically whether they die after mating. This involves understanding the life cycle and mating processes of bees, particularly drones.
Answer
Male honey bees die after mating because their abdomen rips open.
The final answer is male honey bees die after mating because their abdomen rips open when their endophallus is removed.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is male honey bees die after mating because their abdomen rips open when their endophallus is removed.
More Information
This happens because after mating, the drone's endophallus (a part of their reproductive organ) is ripped away, causing a fatal injury to the drone.
Sources
- Mechanics of Honey Bee Mating - Orkin - orkin.com
- Video: A Drone Mates With a Queen Bee in Glorious Slow-Motion - Smithsonian Magazine - smithsonianmag.com
- Drone (bee) - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org