Queens (in the context of social insects)

In social insects like bees, ants, and wasps, the queen is the reproductive female responsible for laying eggs and ensuring the colony’s survival. She often outlives other members and produces most of the offspring, maintaining the colony’s growth and stability. Queens typically have specialized bodies and release chemical signals called pheromones that regulate behavior and hierarchy within the colony. Their primary role is reproduction, and they are central to the colony’s social structure, coordinating activities through chemical communication and interaction with worker insects.