noun
queen bee
Refers specifically to the female reproductive bee in a colony. Cross-referenced with 女王蜂, which is the more common term for 'queen bee'.
See also: 女王蜂
雌蜂は巣の中で卵を産む。
The queen bee lays eggs inside the hive.
女王蜂 is the standard term for 'queen bee'. 雌蜂 is less common and more literal, meaning 'female bee'.
Compound of 雌 (め, 'female') + 蜂 (はち, 'bee'). The reading めばち is a straightforward combination.