Which substance is primarily used as food for the queen bee?

The substance that is primarily used as food for the queen bee is royal jelly. This nutritious secretion is produced by young, hypopharyngeal glands of worker bees and is specially formulated to support the development of the queen. Unlike the food provided to workers or drones, royal jelly is rich in proteins, vitamins, and other essential nutrients, which are critical for the intense growth and reproductive capabilities of the queen.

The queen is fed royal jelly throughout her life, particularly during the larval stage when it is the sole source of nutrition for the developing queen larva. The unique composition of royal jelly is what enables her to grow larger and develop the ability to lay thousands of eggs daily, which is essential for maintaining the hive population.

Other substances like pollen and nectar serve different purposes in the hive. Pollen is primarily collected for protein and is the main food source for worker bees and their larvae, while nectar is mainly a carbohydrate source used by all bees, including workers and drones. Worker jelly, although nutritious, is not specifically designated for the queen; it supplements the diet of the worker bees and their larvae.