What is the role of the queen bee in the colony?

The role of the queen bee is primarily to lay eggs and ensure the reproductive success of the colony. A healthy queen can lay thousands of eggs each day, which is crucial for maintaining the hive's population and vitality. This reproductive function supports not only the current workforce but also future generations, which is essential for the colony's survival and productivity.

While other functions in the hive are important, such as maintaining temperature and regulating foraging, those responsibilities typically fall to worker bees. Additionally, gathering nectar and pollen is specifically the job of foraging bees, not the queen. Thus, the queen's central role in maintaining the reproductive population through egg-laying is vital for the colony's long-term health and efficiency.