African Honey Bee

Apis mellifera scutellata

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Subfamily: Apinae
Tribe: Apini
Genus: Apis
Species: mellifera
Subspecies: scutellata

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Apis mellifera scutellata: /ˈeɪ.pɪs mɛˈlɪˌfɛ.rə ˌskjuː.tɛˈlɑː.tə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

The bee louse Braula coeca attached to the head region of its host, the honeybee Apis mellifera scutellata by Thies H. Büscher, Dennis S. Petersen, Nienke N. Bijma, Fabian Bäumler, Christian W. W. Pirk, Sebastian Büsse, Lars Heepe, Stanislav N. Gorb. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Apis mellifera scutellata 5140028 by Lorraine Beaman, USDA ARS Honey Bee Breeding Lab. Used under a Public domain license.

Apis mellifera scutellata 1355020 by Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service. Used under a Public domain license.

Apis mellifera scutellata 1355021 by Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service. Used under a Public domain license.

Apis mellifera scutellata, nesingang, Moreletakloof, c by JMK. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Apis mellifera scutellata by Jeffrey W. Lotz, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Summary

Apis mellifera scutellata, or the East African lowland honey bee, is a highly adaptable subspecies of the western honey bee, known for its aggressive defensive behavior and high honey production capabilities, especially in tropical environments.

Physical Characteristics

Slightly smaller than European honey bees; upper body covered in fuzz; abdomen striped with black.

Identification Tips

Similar in appearance to European honey bees, but slightly smaller with distinctive black stripes on the abdomen.

Habitat

Native habitat includes southern and eastern Africa; thrives in tropical areas, is not well adapted for cold regions.

Distribution

Central, southern, and eastern Africa; spread to Brazil and subsequently to Central America, South America, and southern areas of the United States.

Diet

Forages primarily on nectar and pollen; exhibits a preference for pollen over nectar compared to European counterparts.

Life Cycle

Colonies grow rapidly with high rates of reproduction and swarming; life history strategies include balancing energy spent on growth versus reproduction.

Reproduction

Queens generally mate with drones, leading to fertilization; A. m. capensis can reproduce parthenogenetically, producing female clones.

Ecosystem Role

Plays a key role in pollination, foraging to support their colonies and contribute to the ecosystem.

Economic Impact

Produces significantly more honey than European honey bees; important for industrial honey production in its native habitat.

Health Concerns

Stings are not more venomous than European bees, but they are more aggressive and respond more rapidly to threats.

Evolution

Evolved in arid environments, leading to aggressive behavior for colony survival and resource protection.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Commonly misidentified as more aggressive due to their rapid response to threats; actual sting venom is not more potent than that of European bees.