Honeybee

A. mellifera — western honeybeeA. floreaA. dorsataA. cerana — eastern honeybee

Related Topics:
A. mellifera - A. cerana

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The honeybee is a colonial insect that is often maintained, fed, and transported by farmers. Honeybees are a subset of bees which fall into the Order Hymenoptera and Suborder Apocrita. Of the approximately 20,000 known species of bees, four are considered honeybees: Apis florea (Dwarf honeybee/little bee), Apis dorsata, Apis cerana, and Apis mellifera (Western honeybee). They have been domesticated at least since the time of the building of the Egyptian pyramids.

Related Topics:
Colonial - Insect - Bee - Hymenoptera - Apocrita - Apis cerana - Apis mellifera - Egyptian pyramid

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Honeybees store honey (which is made from nectar) in their hives, which provides the energy for flight muscles and for heating during the winter period, and pollen which supplies protein for bee brood to grow. Through centuries of selective breeding, honeybees can produce far more honey than the colony needs. Beekeepers, also known as "apiarists", harvest the honey and supply sugar for the winter.

Related Topics:
Honey - Pollen - Brood - Beekeeper

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