Queen Bees
* The leader of the hive: A queen bee is the only fertile female in the hive. She is responsible for laying all the eggs, which are the foundation of the colony.
* Larger than workers: Queen bees are typically larger than worker bees and have a longer abdomen.
* Special diet: Queen bees are fed a special diet called "royal jelly" that allows them to develop into fertile queens.
* Mating: A queen bee mates with several drones (male bees) during a "nuptial flight" and stores the sperm to fertilize eggs for her entire lifetime.
* Long lifespan: Queen bees live for several years, while worker bees only live for a few weeks.
Worker Bees
* The majority of the hive: Worker bees are the most numerous bees in the hive. They are all female, but they cannot reproduce.
* Many roles: Worker bees perform a variety of tasks, including foraging for nectar and pollen, cleaning the hive, caring for the young, and protecting the hive.
* Short lifespan: Worker bees typically live for only a few weeks, but their lifespan can vary depending on the season and their tasks.
In Summary:
* Queen bees are responsible for reproduction and the overall health of the hive.
* Worker bees perform all the other tasks needed for the hive to function.
Let me know if you have any other questions about bees!