The queen bee is also called the "queen queen" or "hive mother" by beekeepers. As the only sexually mature female, she is at the head of the bee colony and is responsible for reproduction. Throughout her life, she feeds exclusively on royal jelly and can therefore - unlike the workers - reach an age of up to five years. Their elongated abdomen clearly distinguishes them from drones and workers. They are capable of laying up to 20,000 fertilized eggs per day.