Bees have a fascinating lifecycle that revolves around a well-organised social structure. The queen bee, the mother of almost all the bees in a hive, lays eggs in honeycomb cells. These eggs develop into larvae, which are fed by worker bees. Depending on what the larvae are fed, they can develop into either worker bees or future queens. Worker bees are typically given regular bee bread (a mixture of pollen and honey), while potential queens receive royal jelly, a special, nutrient-rich substance.
Drones, the male bees, have only one job: to mate with a queen. During mating season, a virgin queen flies out of the hive to mate with multiple drones. Once mated, the queen stores the sperm and uses it throughout her life to lay fertilised eggs. After mating, drones usually die, completing their sole purpose. The cycle repeats as the hive grows and new workers take over various tasks to keep the colony thriving.
