Which characteristic indicates a potential problem in a bee colony based on queen behavior?

Drone laying by the queen is a significant indicator of a potential problem in a bee colony because it suggests that the queen is not functioning properly. In a healthy colony, the queen should primarily be laying fertilized eggs, which develop into worker bees. When a queen lays un fertilized eggs, it results in the production of drones, or male bees, which do not contribute to the hive's foraging and honey production as worker bees do. This behavior could indicate several issues, such as an insufficiently mated queen, a lack of genetic diversity, or stressors affecting the queen's health. Hence, if a queen is exhibiting a behavior of laying drones, it is a red flag that the colony may be in distress or may not be able to sustain itself effectively.

Other characteristics, such as excessive honey production and rapid foraging activity, while potentially advantageous for a colony, do not directly signal a problem with the queen's health or behavior. A balanced brood pattern indicates that the queen is laying eggs effectively and that the colony is likely healthy, contrasting sharply with the implications of drone laying.