A queen can live up to 8 years but is normally replaced within 2 years. The Worker Workers are sterile females who nurture the young. Bees hatched during periods of hive activity work themselves to death in 6 - 8 weeks. Autumn hatched bees over-winter to raise the new generation in spring. The Drone Drones are male bees.
Hives raise and feed drones as insurance against the loss of a queen.
Drones do not forage. Drones die after successfully mating with a virgin queen. Drones are ejected from hives when food is scarce. Bees are four-winged social insects which collect nectar and pollen and produce wax and honey. The scientific name for honey bees is Apis Mellifera, meaning carrier of nectar.