What function do drones (male) honeybees perform for the colony?

What function do drones (male) honeybees perform for the colony?

• A. To collect pollen
• B. To nurse brood
• C. To defend the hive
• D. To mate with the queen and die

Answer: (D)

Drones are the male honeybees whose primary role is reproduction. They don’t forage, don’t nurse the brood, and don’t actively defend the hive—the workers handle those tasks. Instead, drones leave the hive to mate with virgin queens during nuptial flights. After mating, the drone typically dies because the mating process damages its reproductive organs. This ultimate sacrifice provides the queen with the sperm needed to fertilize eggs for future generations, which is why the function described—mate with the queen and die—is the best fit.

Drones are the male honeybees whose primary role is reproduction. They don’t forage, don’t nurse the brood, and don’t actively defend the hive—the workers handle those tasks. Instead, drones leave the hive to mate with virgin queens during nuptial flights. After mating, the drone typically dies because the mating process damages its reproductive organs. This ultimate sacrifice provides the queen with the sperm needed to fertilize eggs for future generations, which is why the function described—mate with the queen and die—is the best fit.