How do drones primarily contribute to the hive?

Drones primarily contribute to the hive by mating with queens of other colonies. Their primary role is reproductive; drones are male bees whose primary function is to mate with a virgin queen during her mating flights. After mating, drones typically die shortly thereafter, as their reproductive anatomy is designed to break off during the process. This mating is crucial for genetic diversity within the bee population, which helps strengthen the overall health and resilience of bee colonies.

While other roles in the hive, such as building structure, foraging, and producing royal jelly, are essential, those are primarily the responsibilities of worker bees. Drones do not participate in those activities, which further highlights how singularly focused their role is on reproduction. This distinction helps clarify their essential function within the colony and in the broader context of bee biology and ecology.