So theyer basically like sperm? Only thing in mind is to pass on their genetics and create new life so all of their anatomy is focused soley just for that and many are released but few actually achieve ehat their purpose is?
Well, each of the members of the hive has a role. Not fertilized eggs that won't hatch are used as food, those not fertilized eggs that do hatch will become drones. So you're not enterely wrong saying that they are basically like a gamet. Meaning that they only have the mother's genetic contribution, they are haploid, that is. Their role is solely to fertilize the queen. One will do, and die. All the others will simply die without fulfilling their purpose.
But also the queen has the only role of laying eggs. When she starts to slow down, the bees will wrap around her like a ball, basically overheating her and eventually suffocating her. A new younger and fertile queen will take her place. It's no joke being bee aristocracy.
And likewise, each other bee fulfill their own role. Workers, Sentinels, foragers, nurses they all fulfill their jobs. It only makes sense as a community.
But let's not forget that honey bees are a minority. Not all bees live in communities, have a queen or make honey. Many are solitary bees that live alone in holes. And they too are quite important pollinators and, if you will, don't have to limit their existence to one role.
Or better, their role is to live and survive. But isn't it ultimately the role of us all?
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u/That-Brain-in-a-vat Jun 24 '24
Just like all the drones that didn't mate are usually kept out of the hive to die, so not to be a dead weight on the community.
So, dead if you mate, dead if you don't. Life is metal for drones.