Detection and monitoring of honeybee drone congregation areas by radar

A portable unit was used to locate and monitor two honeybee drone congregation areas (DCA's) in Lawrence, Kansas. Drone flight activity was observed by radar over a 3-day period. On July 3, 5 and 6, 1985, drones were flying between 1545 white and 1815 h. Fight activity at DCA's, as seen on the radar screen, was recorded on 16 mm black and white film. This film was evaluated to locate the DCA's in relation to features of the terrain, establish the diameter and height of the DCA, record the number of drones per cubic meter of space in the DCA, and observe the influence of caged queens and wind on drone flight activity.