In honeybee society, what is the main function of drones?

In honeybee society, the main function of drones is mating with the queen. Drones are male bees that emerge from unfertilized eggs and their primary role is to ensure the continuation of the hive's genetic lineage. During the mating season, drones leave the hive to participate in mating flights, where they seek out queens from other colonies. Successful mating occurs during these flights, and the drone's role in this biological process is crucial for fertilizing the queen's eggs.

The focus of drones on mating highlights their biological purpose within the colony, which contrasts with the roles of other bees. For instance, worker bees are primarily involved in tasks such as foraging, hive maintenance, and nursing larvae, while the queen is responsible for egg production. Pollination is also a critical function within the hive ecosystem, but it is mainly performed by worker bees rather than drones.