How are queen bee clones created and what role do they play in the hive's hierarchy?

Queen bee clones are created through a process called "supersedure," where worker bees select a larva and feed it royal jelly to develop into a new queen. These queen bee clones play a crucial role in the hive's hierarchy as they are the only fertile female bees responsible for laying eggs and maintaining the colony's population. They are the leaders of the hive and are essential for its survival and reproduction.