Which of the following is an essential behavior of worker bees?

Foraging for nectar and pollen is an essential behavior of worker bees because it directly supports the colony's food supply and overall health. Worker bees are tasked with gathering these vital resources during the foraging phase of their life cycle. Nectar and pollen not only provide the necessary carbohydrates and proteins for the development and sustenance of larvae but also fuel the adult bees.

In their role as foragers, worker bees will visit numerous flowers, utilizing their good sense of smell and sight to locate and collect nectar. They transfer the collected nectar back to the hive, where it's stored and converted into honey for long-term nourishment. Pollen, on the other hand, is collected and brought back to the hive to feed developing larvae, making it a key resource for the hive's reproductive success.

Though building new hives, swarming, and producing drone bees are significant activities within a bee colony, they do not occur as frequently or are not performed by the worker bees as a primary duty. Worker bees are essential for the daily upkeep and survival of the colony by focusing on resource collection, which underpins the hive's sustainability and productivity.