Honeybee

Honeybee

The Honeybee (Apis mellifera) is a species of bee that is native to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. It is known for its role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax.

Biology

Honeybees are social insects that live in colonies. The colony is made up of three types of bees: the queen bee, the worker bees, and the drones. The queen bee is the only sexually mature female in the hive and her primary role is to lay eggs. Worker bees are female but are not sexually mature. They perform all the tasks necessary for the survival of the hive. Drones are male bees and their sole purpose is to mate with the queen.

Role in Pollination

Honeybees play a crucial role in pollination. They transfer pollen from the male parts of a flower to the female parts, allowing for fertilization. This process is essential for the reproduction of many plants, including a large number of our food crops.

Honey Production

Honeybees produce honey by collecting nectar from flowers. The nectar is stored in their honey stomach where it mixes with enzymes that transform its chemical composition and pH. The nectar is then regurgitated and dehydrated to create honey.

Threats to Honeybees

Honeybees face numerous threats including pesticides, habitat loss, and parasites. The Varroa mite is a significant parasite that infests honeybee colonies and can lead to colony collapse.

See Also

• Beekeeping
• Colony Collapse Disorder
• Bee sting

References

Honeybee Resources
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