Africanized-bees
Guides
Apis
Honey Bees, Honeybees
Apis is a genus of eusocial bees comprising approximately 7–12 extant species, primarily distinguished by honey production, wax nest construction, and perennial colonial life cycles. The genus is endemic to Africa, Europe, and Asia, with all but one species (Apis mellifera) native to Asia. Species are categorized into three groups: giant honey bees (A. dorsata and relatives), dwarf honey bees (A. florea and A. andreniformis), and cavity-nesting honey bees (A. mellifera, A. cerana, and relatives). Apis species are critical pollinators of wild plants and agricultural crops, though research indicates they are rarely the most effective single-visit pollinators compared to wild bee taxa.