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

The queen bee is the most important bee in a hive. She is responsible for laying eggs, caring for the young bees, and maintaining the hive's population.

Egg laying: The queen bee is responsible for laying eggs that will hatch into new bees. She does this by inserting her ovipositor into the bodies of other worker bees and transferring sperm.

Caring for the young bees: The queen bee is also responsible for caring for the young bees in the hive. She provides them with food, water, and shelter. She also protects them from predators and diseases.

Maintaining the hive's population: The queen bee is responsible for maintaining the hive's population. She ensures that there are enough bees to replace those that die or leave the hive. She also helps to regulate the population size of the hive.

The queen bee is a vital member of the hive. Without her, the hive would not be able to survive.