A drone bee is a male bee whose primary role is to mate with a queen bee. Unlike worker bees, drones do not have stingers and do not participate in foraging or hive maintenance. They are typically larger than worker bees and have a more robust body. Drones are produced in the spring and summer months when the colony is thriving. During mating season, drones leave the hive to find a queen. The mating occurs in mid-air, and after mating, the drone dies shortly afterward. The presence of drones is essential for the reproduction of the bee colony, ensuring the continuation of the species, including the honey bee and bumblebee.