How can a queen bee be distinguished from other bees?

A queen bee can be distinguished from other bees primarily by her longer abdomen. The queen's elongated body helps her lay eggs effectively, as it is adapted for that purpose. Unlike worker bees and drones, the queen's abdomen extends beyond her wings, creating a noticeable difference in shape compared to the more compact bodies of the other bees. This feature is essential for her role in reproduction and colony management, making her stand out within the hive.

In contrast to this, worker bees and drones have shorter and more tapered bodies, which are suited to their roles of foraging, hive maintenance, and mating, respectively. These differences in body shape and length are characterized by the specific physiological adaptations of each type of bee in a colony.