📷 no rights reserved · CC0
📷 no rights reserved
📷 no rights reserved
IUCN: Data Deficient
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
KingdomAnimalia›PhylumArthropoda›ClassInsecta›OrderHymenoptera›FamilyApidae›GenusApis
About
The western honey bee is a highly social insect living in colonies with a queen, workers, and drones. Workers collect nectar and pollen, communicate food locations with waggle dances, and build wax combs. It is an important pollinator and managed species, but wild and managed colonies face pressures from parasites, disease, pesticides, and forage loss.
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Wild cavities, managed hives, gardens, farmland, grassland, and woodland edges
🍃Diet Nectar and pollen from flowering plants
📏Size & Weight Worker body 1.2–1.5 cm
•weight Worker about 0.1 g; queens larger
⏳Lifespan Workers weeks to months; queens several years
🗺Range Native to Africa, Europe, and western Asia; introduced worldwide
InvertebrateInsect
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Wild cavities, managed hives, gardens, farmland, grassland, and woodland edges
🍃Diet Nectar and pollen from flowering plants
📏Size & Weight Worker body 1.2–1.5 cm
•weight Worker about 0.1 g; queens larger
⏳Lifespan Workers weeks to months; queens several years
🗺Range Native to Africa, Europe, and western Asia; introduced worldwide
Photo Credits
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