Which characteristic distinguishes a drone from a worker bee?

The distinguishing characteristic that defines drones is their larger body size compared to worker bees and their lack of stingers. Drones, which are the male bees of the hive, are specifically designed for one purpose: mating with a queen. Their larger size is part of their adaptation for this task. Unlike worker bees, drones do not possess a stinger, which aligns with their role in the colony; since they do not forage for food or defend the hive, they lack the defensive adaptations that worker bees have, such as the ability to sting. This absence of a stinger makes drones less aggressive than worker bees, as their role does not involve defending the hive.

The other choices reflect misunderstandings about the roles and biology of bees. Worker bees are smaller and highly specialized, tasked with foraging, nursing, and hive maintenance; they have stingers for the defense of their colony. Drones cannot reproduce independently and do not engage in the same activities as worker bees. Additionally, the ability to fly longer distances is not exclusive to either drones or worker bees, as both are capable of flying to find mates or food, but worker bees are generally more active in foraging.