Pronunciation: [kwˈiːnləs] (IPA) 
The word "queenless" is spelled with the /kwēnləs/ phonetic transcription. The first syllable, /kwēn/, is spelled with "q-u-e-e-n." The "e" following the "q-u" is silent, but the "e" at the end of the syllable is pronounced like the "ee" in "green." The second syllable, /ləs/, is spelled with "l-e-s-s," with the "e" pronounced as a schwa sound. "Queenless" refers to a colony of bees without a queen bee.
Queenless (adjective): The term "queenless" refers to a state or condition in which a hive or colony of social insects, such as bees or ants, is without a reigning queen. It indicates the absence or loss of a reproductive female individual who leads and sustains the population through egg-laying.
In the context of honey bees, a queenless hive occurs when the queen either dies or is accidentally removed, leaving the workers without a capable egg-laying female. In such cases, the colony's survival is at risk, as the queen is responsible for producing the next generation of bees. The absence of a queen often disrupts the social dynamics within the colony, resulting in erratic behavior and possible decline.
In the world of ants, queenlessness can happen due to similar circumstances, like the death or removal of the queen. As ants rely heavily on the queen's presence to maintain colony organization and reproduction, a queenless ant colony may struggle to sustain itself and face challenges in producing new generations.
Beekeepers and entomologists often identify and address queenlessness promptly to prevent any negative impact on the health and productivity of the colony. As the queen is an integral part of the social structure, beekeepers may introduce a new queen to a queenless hive or facilitate the colony's creation of a new queen in order to restore normalcy and continuation of the insect society.
The word "queenless" is derived from the noun "queen", which referring to a female ruler, and the suffix "-less", which means without or lacking. When combined, "queenless" means without a queen or lacking a queen.
