Organisms adapt their behavior and physiology to environmental conditions
through processes of phenotypic plasticity. The division of labor among the honey bees involves a stereotyped yet plastic pattern of behavioral and physiological maturation. The reproductive division of labor depends on colony status and demand. Changes in individual nutritional status and conserved food-related molecular and hormonal pathways regulate the development and maturation leading to the reproductive division of labor. Nutritional regulation of honey bee behavior and phenotypic plasticity in general, are under colony control and few individuals have control over it. This kind of behavioral evolution is well suited and established one in honey bee depending upon their need and struggle they have in life.
Now question ? is, how did reproductive behavior got lost and not evolved in individuals (mainly workers) with "time" of evolution? Did other species opt otherwise depending upon their need and environment?
Perhaps I am not understanding the main point of your question, but why do you think it got "lost" ? Other species of social insects have similar division of reproductive labour: see ants , wasps and termites. Even among social mammals, the reproductive activity is often limited to specific individuals, with the remainder of the group relegated to 'support "roles.
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