What is the primary role of the queen bee in a hive?

The primary role of the queen bee in a hive is to lay eggs and maintain the hive's population. The queen's reproductive capabilities are crucial for the survival and health of the bee colony. She is the sole fertile female in the hive and can lay thousands of eggs during her lifetime, ensuring a continuous supply of new bees to replace those that die or leave the colony.

The queen also plays a significant role in regulating the hive's activities through the production of pheromones, which help to stabilize the social structure and communication within the colony. While foraging for nectar and collecting pollen are essential activities for worker bees, they fall outside the role of the queen. Similarly, while communication among bees is crucial for hive function, it is primarily carried out by the worker bees rather than the queen. Thus, the queen's singular focus on reproduction and population maintenance is vital for the hive's sustainability and growth.