Western Honey Bee

Scientific Name: Apis mellifera

Order & Family: Hymenoptera: Apidae

Size: 10 to 20 mm (0.39 to 0.79 inches)

Western Honey Bee

Natural Habitat

Meadows, open woodlands, gardens, and agricultural areas globally.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on nectar for energy and pollen for protein; larvae are fed royal jelly and a mixture of pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Highly social insects living in complex colonies. They communicate through 'waggle dances' and perform division of labor based on age.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits: Essential pollinators for food crops and ecosystems. Risks: Can sting if threatened, which may cause severe allergic reactions in some humans.

Identified on: 3/1/2026