Are drones bees haploid or diploid?

Drones, which are the male bees in a hive, are haploid. This means they have only one set of chromosomes, which is a characteristic of male bees. Drones are produced from unfertilized eggs laid by the queen bee, leading to the haploid condition since there is no fertilization involved.

In contrast, worker bees and queen bees are diploid, as they develop from fertilized eggs and possess two sets of chromosomes. The distinction between haploid and diploid is fundamental to understanding bee reproduction and the roles of different bee castes within the colony. Therefore, the classification of drones as haploid is essential for accurately describing their genetic makeup and reproductive function.