Corbiculate
Guides
Apinae
Apine Bees
Apinae is the largest subfamily of Apidae, encompassing the majority of bee diversity in the family. It includes the corbiculate bees—bumblebees (Bombini), honey bees (Apini), orchid bees (Euglossini), and stingless bees (Meliponini)—characterized by the presence of a pollen basket (corbicula) on the hind legs. The subfamily also contains numerous solitary and kleptoparasitic groups, including most bees formerly classified in Anthophoridae. Social organization ranges from highly eusocial perennial colonies to solitary nesting, with several tribes entirely composed of nest parasites.
Apini
honey bees
Apini is a tribe of bees within the family Apidae, comprising the genus Apis (honey bees). Members are characterized by production and storage of honey, construction of perennial colonial nests from wax, and highly organized eusocial behavior. The tribe includes approximately seven recognized species with numerous subspecies, distributed across Africa, Europe, Asia, and introduced worldwide. Honey bees are among the most economically important insects due to their role as pollinators and honey producers.