What are the two sexes of honey bees in a colony?

In a honey bee colony, there are two primary sexes: male and female. The males are known as drones, while the females include both the queen and workers. The distinction between the sexes is significant for understanding the roles they play in the colony. The queen is the primary reproductive female, responsible for laying eggs, while the worker bees, also female, perform various tasks such as foraging for food, maintaining the hive, and caring for the brood.

The answer highlighting the male and female classification captures the essential biological structure of the honey bee colony. This broader view encompasses both the reproductive roles of the queen and drones, as well as the non-reproductive but vital roles carried out by worker bees. By focusing on the sexes specifically, the answer underscores the fundamental distinction in gender that is critical for the colony's survival and function.