Honey Bee
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera (most common species)
Order & Family: Order: Hymenoptera, Family: Apidae
Size: Worker bees are typically 10-15 mm (0.4-0.6 inches) long; drones are slightly larger, and the queen is the largest, reaching up to 20 mm (0.8 inches).
Natural Habitat
Honey bees typically live in hives, which can be natural cavities (e.g., hollow trees) or artificial structures created by beekeepers. They forage in areas rich in flowering plants, including gardens, orchards, meadows, and forests, usually within a few miles of their hive.
Diet & Feeding
Honey bees primarily feed on nectar as a source of carbohydrates for energy and pollen as a source of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. They also produce honey from nectar for food storage.
Behavior Patterns
Honey bees are social insects living in highly organized colonies that can number tens of thousands of individuals. They communicate through complex dances (e.g., waggle dance) to indicate food sources. They store honey and pollen in their comb.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risks include stings, which can be painful and cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Benefits are numerous and significant, primarily their role as essential pollinators for a vast number of agricultural crops and wild plants. They also produce honey, beeswax, propolis, and royal jelly, which have economic and medicinal value.
Identified on: 9/4/2025