Bug Identifier
Honey Bee
Community identification

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Order & Family
Hymenoptera: Apidae
Size
10–20 mm in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Agricultural, residential, and forest areas near flowering plants for foraging.

Diet & Feeding

Nectar and pollen from a wide variety of flowering plants.

Behavior Patterns

Highly social insects living in colonies with a complex division of labor; communicates through movements like the 'waggle dance'.

Risks & Benefits

Essential pollinators for ecosystems and food crops (benefit); can sting if defensive or threatened, which may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals (risk).