Which type of honeybee is known for its barrel-shaped body?

The type of honeybee known for its barrel-shaped body is the drone. Drones are the male bees in a colony and have a distinctive appearance that sets them apart from workers and queens. Their bodies are larger and more robust, giving them that characteristic barrel shape. This physical feature aids them in their primary role, which is to mate with a queen during the reproductive season.

Worker bees, on the other hand, have a more slender and elongated body, making them well adapted for their diverse roles within the colony, such as foraging, nursing, and maintaining the hive. Queens are also distinct with their elongated bodies that facilitate their role in laying eggs but they do not exhibit the barrel shape typical of drones. The Italian bee is a specific subspecies known for certain traits but does not define the body shape characteristic of drones.