What function does the queen's mandibular gland serve?

The queen's mandibular gland plays a crucial role in the social structure and reproductive dynamics of a honey bee colony. One of its primary functions is to produce pheromones that attract drones during mating flights. This attraction is vital for ensuring that the queen mates successfully, thereby allowing her to fertilize her eggs and maintain the genetic diversity and health of the colony.

The pheromones produced by the mandibular gland also serve to communicate the queen's presence and her reproductive status to the worker bees, helping to maintain the hierarchy and organization within the hive. This chemical messaging is essential for the proper functioning of the colony, as it influences behaviors such as tending to the queen, rearing her offspring, and managing the hive's overall activities.