Bug Identifier
Honey Bee
Community identification

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Order & Family
Order: Hymenoptera, Family: Apidae
Size
10 to 20 mm (0.4 to 0.8 inches)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Meadows, gardens, orchards, and woodlands where flowering plants are abundant

Diet & Feeding

Nectar and pollen from a wide variety of flowering plants

Behavior Patterns

Highly social insects living in complex colonies with a queen, drones, and workers; known for their complex 'waggle dance' communication and honey production

Risks & Benefits

Essential pollinators for ecosystem health and agriculture; can sting if provoked, which may cause allergic reactions in some humans