Does the beekeeper's killing of the old queen—for the purpose of increasing the number of bees and production—fall under the prohibition of killing bees?

There is no harm in killing the queen bee if it is necessary to increase the number of bees and honey production. This is based on the sayings of Al-Khattabi and Ibn Rushd regarding the prohibition of killing bees, which is due to the benefits they provide. Therefore, if killing one bee increases the number [of bees] and enhances the benefit, then there is no harm in that. Furthermore, killing animals that are prohibited from being killed is permissible for a legitimate purpose, such as repelling harm or achieving a benefit.