Honey bee queens normally mate with multiple drones to ensure a genetically diverse colony. Depending on the color of the parents, this diversity may be visible in the varying hues of the worker force.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Honey bee queens normally mate with multiple drones to ensure a genetically diverse colony. Depending on the color of the parents, this diversity may be visible in the varying hues of the worker force.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Honey bee queens normally mate with multiple drones to ensure a genetically diverse colony. Depending on the color of the parents, this diversity may be visible in the varying hues of the worker force.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Honey bee queens normally mate with multiple drones to ensure a genetically diverse colony. Depending on the color of the parents, this diversity may be visible in the varying hues of the worker force.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013