The term queen bee is typically used to refer to an adult, mated female that lives in a honey bee colony or hive; she is usually the mother of most, if not all, the bees in the hive. The queens are developed from larvae selected by worker bees and specially fed in order to become sexually mature. There is normally only one adult, mated queen in a hive.
The term "queen bee" can be more generally applied to any dominant reproductive female in a colony of a eusocial bee species other than honey bees.
Read more about Queen Bee: Development, Virgin Queen Bee, Reproduction Cycle, Daily Life For The Queen, Identification, Queen Rearing
Famous quotes containing the words queen bee, queen and/or bee:
“Just as the queen bee, the highest-ranking, peerless creature of her hive, is surrounded by lowly drones to please her, whereas the workers produce honey, the same way is the one who sits on the throne an equal only to himself, and no one’s companion.”
—Franz Grillparzer (1791–1872)
“Happy are your wives! Happy are these your servants, who continually attend you and hear your wisdom!”
—Bible: Hebrew, 1 Kings 10:8.
The queen of Sheba to Solomon.
“Ah evil wedlock! Ah fate!
she incites all to evil,
she flutters over all things,
like a bee in flight.”
—Hilda Doolittle (1886–1961)