What is the primary role of drone bees in a hive?

The primary role of drone bees in a hive is to mate with the queen. Drones are male bees whose main purpose is to ensure the continuation of the hive by facilitating reproduction. During the mating process, drones will leave the hive and participate in what is known as a mating flight, where they seek out a queen from another hive to mate. This mating occurs outside the hive, and after a successful mating, the drone typically dies, as their reproductive organ is ejected and causes fatal injury.

In contrast, the other roles listed do not pertain to drones. Defense of the hive is primarily the responsibility of worker bees, who are female and have stingers for protection. Gathering nectar and pollen is also the duty of worker bees, which are the ones that forage and bring essential resources back to the hive. Honey production is solely the work of worker bees, who convert the nectar into honey through processes of enzymatic activity and evaporation. Thus, the unique reproductive role of drones as the mates for the queen distinguishes their function in the hive from other bee types.