Fauna
Insect · GBIF taxon 1341976

Western Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Also known as European Honey Bee, Common Honey Bee

Western honey bees live in complex eusocial colonies containing tens of thousands of specialized workers ruled by a single egg-laying queen. Foragers communicate the precise location of rich floral patches through an intricate figure-eight dance known as the waggle dance. During colder months, workers cluster tightly inside tree hollows or hives, shivering their flight muscles to maintain a constant warm temperature for the colony.

PollinatorSocial InsectVenomous
Western Honey Bee reference1 / 7
Licensed referenceAndreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Data DeficientConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXData Deficient — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Nectar and pollen
Predators
  • Bears
  • Beewolves
  • Insectivorous birds
ThreatsPesticide exposure, Varroa mite infestation, habitat loss, disease
HabitatsGardens, orchards, meadows, woodlands, agricultural fields
Life spanWorkers 6 weeks to 6 months; Queens 2–5 years
Classification
  1. OrderHymenoptera
  2. FamilyApidae
  3. GenusApis
  4. SpeciesApis mellifera
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskVery high
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is very high
Females sting when defending the hive; observe quietly from a safe distance.
Why it is dangerous
Worker bees possess a barbed stinger that injects venom containing melittin, causing acute pain and potential anaphylaxis in allergic individuals.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a fuzzy golden-brown insect with dark abdominal stripes and pollen baskets on the hind legs.
What to do
Never squeeze or swat at foraging bees, and maintain distance from active hives.
Responsible observation
  • Flower Observation: Foraging bees actively gathering nectar are calm and generally ignore nearby onlookers.
  • Hive Clearance: Keep at least three meters back from active hive entrances to prevent defensive stinging.
  • Avoid Swatting: Move smoothly and back away if a bee circles you; sudden swats trigger alarm pheromones.
Related species
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