This was Jessy’s explanation.

Hivelings are a race of bee-human crosses. They can fly like bees(though they have hollow bones like birds) and have stinger abdomens protruding from the back of their pelvis. The stingers produce a venom that can numb a target by damaging their nerves. This is used to bring prey back to the hive.

There are three main jobs; Drone, Caretaker, and Guards.

Drones are the only job a male can hold; in fact, males are viewed as inferior. However, they’re happy with this. Drones gather food, protect the hive, and are a backup food source for the queen in harsher winters.

Caretakers protect the young and feed them.

Guards are selected from a higher breed to defend the queen. They undergo dangerous training. If they succeed, they become guards. Failures are fed to the queen, though they think of it as a great service to sacrifice themselves for Her Majesty’s well-being.