European Honey Bee

Natural Habitat

Honey bees are highly adaptable and can be found in a wide range of habitats where flowering plants are abundant, including forests, grasslands, agricultural areas, gardens, and urban environments. They typically build nests in sheltered locations such as hollow trees, rock crevices, or man-made structures like beehives.

Diet & Feeding

Nectar and pollen from flowers. Nectar is converted into honey, which serves as their primary energy source. Pollen provides essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

Behavior Patterns

Honey bees are social insects living in large colonies (hives) that can number tens of thousands of individuals. They communicate through complex dances (e.g., waggle dance) to indicate food sources. They collect nectar to make honey and pollen for protein, which are stored in the hive. Worker bees perform various tasks within the hive depending on their age, including nursing, cleaning, foraging, and guarding. Queens lay eggs, and drones (males) mate with the queen.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include stings, which can cause pain, swelling, and in rare cases, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) in sensitive individuals. Benefits are enormous: they are vital pollinators for a vast number of crops and wild plants, essential for ecosystem health and food production. They also produce honey, beeswax, propolis, and royal jelly, which have various economic and medicinal uses.

Identified on: 8/29/2025