Apis mellifera - honey bee
Honey bees are not native to North America. they were brought here by European settlers in the 1620s. Prized for honey production, they have large, perennial colonies that can be easily transported and which can pollinate many many different crops. For these reasons, they are the most widely used commercial pollinator in the world. The workers are sterile females.
Size: 12-15mm
Preferred crops: Many
Nesting Behavior: Honey bees are highly social cavity nesters. Hives have on average 25,000 individuals made up of a queen, workers, and males (drones).
Size: 12-15mm
Preferred crops: Many
Nesting Behavior: Honey bees are highly social cavity nesters. Hives have on average 25,000 individuals made up of a queen, workers, and males (drones).
Honey bees carry pollen in a corbicula, or pollen basket, a small basket of specialized hairs on the hind legs.