Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) species information page

Honey Bee - Apis mellifera

Occuring in the wild as well as being kept in hives for their honey, growing to about 12mm (0.5in). Familiar insect with black and orange / yellow banded body. Lives as a group of many thousands of individuals, each with a defined role in the community. Makes a nest of hexagonal shaped chambers from wood pulp in which the young pupae are housed along with a food store of honey. Nests in hollow trees or other suitable crevices in the wild and barns or roof spaces. Will sting if provoked, an act that results in the death of the bee as the sting mechanism comes away from the insect remaining in the victim requiring removal.

Back