What is the primary function of drone bees?

The primary function of drone bees is mating. Drones are the male bees in a hive, and their main purpose is to reproduce with a queen during her mating flights. Once the queen has mated with several drones, she will store their sperm to fertilize eggs throughout her life, ensuring the continuation of the colony.

Drones do not forage for food; this task is primarily performed by worker bees, who collect nectar and pollen. They also do not build the hive, as that is another responsibility of the worker bees who create and maintain the hive structure. While drones may come into contact with flowers, they do not play a significant role in pollination; that function is again largely handled by worker bees. Thus, drone bees are specifically designed and evolved for the purpose of mating, which is critical for the reproductive success of the colony.