What determines whether a queen bee lays a fertilized or an unfertilized egg?

The determination of whether a queen bee lays a fertilized or unfertilized egg is primarily influenced by the colony's needs and the time of year. This means that the colony's current situation, such as whether it is trying to increase its population or if it needs to produce new drones, plays a crucial role in this process.

When the colony is in a strong state and needs to grow, the queen will lay fertilized eggs that develop into worker bees. Conversely, during certain times of the year, especially late summer or fall when the colony might be preparing for winter or needs more drones for mating, the queen will lay unfertilized eggs that develop into male drones. Thus, the hormonal cues that the queen receives from the environment and the colony's dynamics guide her egg-laying decisions, ensuring that the colony can adapt to its changing needs.

Factors like the queen's age, the availability of worker bees, and weather conditions can impact the overall health and productivity of the hive, but they do not dictate the specific choice of fertilization for each egg laid by the queen.