Western Honey Bee

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Apis mellifera: /ˈeɪ.pɪs mɛˈlɪ.fɛ.rə/

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Summary

Apis mellifera, or the Western Honey Bee, is the most widespread and economically significant species of bee worldwide, crucial for pollination and honey production. It exhibits complex social structures and behaviors, including sophisticated communication methods and cooperative foraging, while facing various threats leading to conservation concerns.

Physical Characteristics

Worker bees are 12 to 16 mm (½ to 5/8 in) long, while queens and drones are larger. Workers are usually found to be females (workers), and males (drones) are significantly bigger with notably larger eyes that touch at the top of their heads.

Identification Tips

20 different species of honey bees globally, but Apis mellifera is the most commonly recognized. The most significant visual cue in distinguishing drones from workers is their size and eye placement, along with color variations.

Habitat

Widespread; honey bees inhabit areas where there are flowers to feed on and suitable spaces for building hives. They can survive cold winters by clustering together and consuming honey reserves during cold weather.

Distribution

Found across every continent except Antarctica. Predominantly distributed in regions from Africa to Europe, and introduced into North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand by humans.

Diet

Primarily nectar and pollen from flowers, with pollen being especially important for feeding larvae. They visit flowers from many different families.

Life Cycle

Undergoes complete metamorphosis with four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult; a social structure in colonies involves a single queen laying eggs continuously after mating once.

Reproduction

The queen mates with multiple drones during one or more nuptial flights, laying eggs continuously afterwards; workers can sometimes lay eggs under certain conditions, but typically do not mate.

Predators

Includes various insects such as the Asian giant hornet, robber flies, birds like summer tanager, reptiles like black girdled lizard, and mammals like raccoons and skunks.

Conservation Status

Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List; populations are declining mainly due to threats from pests, diseases, and environmental changes.

Ecosystem Role

Key pollinators of many crops and wild plants; they contribute significantly to biodiversity and food production.

Economic Impact

Valued primarily for their pollination services, with global estimates contributing over $200 billion annually; extensive use in agriculture for crop pollination, particularly in almond orchards.

Cultural Significance

The western honey bee is historically significant, as one of the first domesticated insects; it features prominently in various cultures, symbolizing hard work and environmental health.

Health Concerns

Infectious diseases, parasitic mite infestations (especially Varroa mites), and exposure to pesticides threaten honey bee populations, affecting their ability to pollinate plants effectively.

Collecting Methods

• Netting during foraging flights
• Bee sampling traps
• Observation hive captures

Preservation Methods

• Freezing specimens
• Drying in ethanol
• Osmium tetroxide staining

Evolution

Believed to have originated in Africa or Asia, with significant adaptations as it spread to various regions influenced by human introduction.

Similar Taxa

• Apis cerana
• Apis dorsata
• Apis florea

Misconceptions

A common misconception is that honey bee stings always result in the bee's death, though this occurs primarily when stinging mammals; they can occasionally sting and survive.

Tags

• Apis mellifera
• Western Honey Bee
• pollinator
• honey production
• social insect