Final answer:
The worker caste in bees consists entirely of reproductive females, who play a crucial role in the survival of the species by supporting the colony through various tasks and raising offspring.
Step-by-step explanation:
The worker caste in bees consists entirely of reproductive females.
In a honey bee colony, there is one queen who lays eggs, hundreds of drones who produce sperm, and many thousands of worker bees who are sterile. The workers are all female and their main role is to support the colony by cleaning the hive, feeding the young, building honeycomb, guarding the hive, and foraging for food.
This division of labor benefits the survival of the species because the workers use their energy for the growth and maintenance of the colony and for raising the offspring. By dedicating themselves to these tasks, they ensure the well-being of the colony and the continuation of the honey bee population.