What is the primary role of the queen mandibular pheromone?

The primary role of queen mandibular pheromone is to inhibit egg production by workers. This pheromone is produced by the queen and serves as a chemical signal that helps maintain social order and reproductive hierarchy within the hive. By suppressing the reproductive capabilities of worker bees, the queen ensures that she remains the primary producer of offspring, which is crucial for the colony's organization and overall health. This mechanism allows workers to focus on their roles in foraging, nursing, and maintaining the hive, rather than competing with the queen for reproduction. Thus, B is the correct choice as it highlights the crucial role the pheromone plays in colony dynamics.