European Honey Bee

Scientific Name: Apis mellifera

Order & Family: Order: Hymenoptera, Family: Apidae

Size: 1.2 cm to 1.5 cm for workers; queens and drones are slightly larger.

European Honey Bee

Natural Habitat

Found in a wide range of habitats including meadows, gardens, forests, and agricultural areas, specifically near flowering plants.

Diet & Feeding

Forage for nectar (carbohydrates) and pollen (protein) from flowering plants.

Behavior Patterns

Eusocial insects living in complex colonies with a single queen, thousands of female workers, and male drones. They communicate through the 'waggle dance' to indicate the location of food sources.

Risks & Benefits

Essential pollinators for crops and wild plants, providing immense ecological and economic benefits. They can sting in defense, which may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Identified on: 5/14/2026