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...the Xenomorphs take on aspects of their hosts. In Alien3, the wee beastie had adopted a quadripedal aspect, that gave it great er speed, from its host, a dog. The ability to exploit another species and add elements of its evolution to one's own genetic and morphological matrix is a potent benefit.
Can't forget that the only times that we saw an egg open was when a potential host was nearby; it's possible that they only mature to that point or remain in a form of self-imposed stasis until such an event occurs. That would mean that every egg has the potential to hatch, and add another's diversity to its own.
Remember that the Queen and many of her soldiers in ALIENS were much more bug-like than those previously seen.
I concur with the "storing up energy" idea, as well.
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