Western Honey Bee

The western honey bee is the most common of the 7–12 species of honey bees worldwide. The genus name Apis is Latin for 'bee', and mellifera is the Latin for 'honey-bearing' or 'honey-carrying', referring to the species' production of honey. Scientific Name: Apis mellifera Range: Native to Africa & Europe; introduced worldwide Size: Workers ~12 mm Status: Beneficial ID Notes: Golden-brown with black bands. Distinctive 'pollen basket' (corbicula) on hind legs. Hairy thorax, less hairy abdomen. Behavior / Notes: Eusocial — single queen, tens of thousands of female workers, drones. Performs the famous waggle dance to communicate food locations. Pollinates ~1/3 of global food crops.