Honeybee castes include the queen bee, drones, and worker bees. The queen bee is the only fertile member of the hive and lays all the eggs. Her genetic traits can be passed on to offspring. Drones exist solely to mate with the queen in a sometimes fatal act. Worker bees perform all the activities to maintain the hive, such as building comb, foraging, and caring for the queen and larvae. A honeybee's diet determines whether it develops into a queen or worker, as queen larvae are fed exclusively royal jelly.

1. Honeybee Castes by Mary McIvor

2. The Queen Bee Only one per hive. Sole purpose is reproductive. No other member of the hive is fertile. Mother of all the bees in the hive. Mates with drones. Lays both unfertilized (drone) and fertilized (worker and queen) eggs.

3. The Queen Bee Genetic traits that can be passed on to offspring: Color Swarming tendency Nectar-carrying capacity Disease resistance Temperament Cleanliness Handling ease Whiteness of wax

4. Drones Sole purpose is to mate with a queen, a sometimes fatal act. Up to 20% of bees in spring/summer. Do not contribute to the activities of the hive. No stinger. Evicted in the fall when breeding ceases.

5. Worker Bees These bees do all the activities of the hive: Building comb. Raising brood (eggs and larvae). Foraging for nectar, pollen, and propolis. Hive defense and maintenance. Feeding and groomingthe queen.

6. Development of a Honeybee

7. She is What She Eats Diet determines development into a queen or a worker bee. After hatching from the egg, all larvae are fed royal jelly (high protein diet) for 3 days. On the fourth day, larvae destined to be workers are switched to worker jelly (more carbs than royal jelly). A queen larva is fed exclusively royal jelly so she develops ovaries (needed to lay eggs).

8. Baby Worker Bees

9. I bees