What is the most common type of bee found in a hive?

The most common type of bee found in a hive is the worker bee. Worker bees make up the majority of the population within a hive, often comprising upwards of 90% of the colony during peak seasons. Their roles are diverse and critical to the survival and function of the hive. They are responsible for foraging for food, tending to the queen and her eggs, cleaning the hive, and defending it against threats.

The worker bees are non-reproductive females and have a wide range of duties throughout their lives, adapting their roles as they age. This structure allows for efficient management of resources and tasks within the hive, which is essential for the overall health and productivity of the colony.

In contrast, the queen bee serves the crucial function of reproduction, laying eggs to ensure the continuation of the hive, but she is not nearly as numerous as the worker bees. Drones, which are male bees, primarily exist to mate with a queen and are present in much smaller numbers, particularly since they are often expelled from the hive as winter approaches. The term "guardian bee" is not a recognized category in beekeeping and does not describe a common type of bee within a hive. This further emphasizes the prominent role that worker bees play in the beeke