Worker bees are actually female. In a honey bee colony, there are three primary types of bees: queens, drones, and workers.
The queen bee is the reproductive female in the colony. She is larger in size and has specialized reproductive organs for laying eggs. The primary role of the queen is to mate with drones and lay eggs to maintain and expand the colony.
Drones, on the other hand, are male bees. They are usually slightly larger than worker bees and have larger eyes. Drones' main purpose is to mate with a virgin queen during her nuptial flight.
Worker bees make up the majority of the colony. They are also female bees but are non-reproductive. Worker bees perform various tasks such as gathering nectar and pollen, building and maintaining the hive, feeding the brood, and defending the colony. Worker bees have specialized anatomical features and glandular systems that enable them to carry out these tasks efficiently.
The division of labor among the three types of bees in a honey bee colony is determined by genetic and environmental factors.