Latshaw Apiaries 

Drone Preparation

Preparing drones for semen collection is not a difficult task, although it does require a little practice.  After some experience, this part of the procedure will go very quickly.  Provided below are some photographs and explanations of the main steps.

The first step is to hold the drone between your thumb and your index finger, crushing the head and the thorax of the drone.  This will sometimes result in eversion which is shown in the next step.

Crushing the head and thorax will sometimes result in an eversion, however, it may be necessary to gently squeeze the abdomen with your thumb and index finger to induce the eversion.  Once stimulated, the abdomen should contract and become firm. 

Once the drone's abdomen has contracted, you may gently squeeze the abdomen to expose the semen.  This is accomplished by squeezing the abdomen, starting by the thorax and moving the pressure down the abdomen until the semen is visible.

Above, are two examples of drones that are not completely mature.  The photograph on the left is a very young drone and the photograph on the right is of a drone that is nearly mature, but does not have semen.

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Last modified: 02/29/08

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