Drone Collection Cage

For instrumental insemination, mature drones must be collected so that semen can be obtained from selected colonies with desirable genetics. A drone cage provides a convenient way to capture and temporarily hold large numbers of drones while maintaining control over their parentage. Drones used for insemination should be sexually mature, healthy and well fed.

One common method is to place a queen excluder over the entrance of the selected colony during a period of active drone flight. Returning drones can be collected as they land since they can't pass through the excluder.

 The cage provides good ventilation and should not be overcrowded or left exposed to excessive heat or direct sun. If drones need to be held before insemination, they can be returned to a strong colony so workers can feed and care for them. Up to three cages may be clipped onto a standard Langstroth deep frame. A small sponge dampened with syrup may be placed in the internal holder.

Jason Bragg of Appalachian Queen Bees was kind enough to allow us to use his design for the production of this sturdy piece of queen breeding equipment.

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