Classification
Despite thousands of years of exploration by humans, honeybees are often mistaken and misidentified. Bees, wasps, and ants are all part of a group of insects called Hymenopetra meaning "membrane-winged" from the Greek word hymen (membrane) and pteron (wing). There are currently more than 100,000 different hymenopetra species (Jones, Sweeny-Lynch, 80)
This large group of diverse insects is broken down into two groups:
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Within that group, honeybees are classified into the family Apidea, which includes all bees and wasps. Further, they are classified as a member of the genus Apis, distinguished by the production and storage of honey and the construction of "nests" from wax.
The family Apidea is large and includes many different winged wasps and bees that are often mistaken for honeybees. Despite the colors, and often structural similarities, honeybees have a unique appearance and lifestyle, which sets them apart from their relatives.
The family Apidea is large and includes many different winged wasps and bees that are often mistaken for honeybees. Despite the colors, and often structural similarities, honeybees have a unique appearance and lifestyle, which sets them apart from their relatives.
The bee genus Apis occurs naturally in Europe, Asia, and Africa. There has been long debate among entomologists on just how many different species there are. The honey bee we discuss throughout this website is Apis mellifera or Western Honeybee. More specifically though early American bees where brought from a variety of regions, including Germany, France, and England. Modern Beekeeping however utilizes the moderately tempered Italian honeybee which, was brought to America around the 1850's (USDA).
Apis mellifera is the most geographically widespread bee on Earth. It has been domesticated and exploited by humans for so long that its origins are now unclear. This genus probably arose in Africa and then spread to Europe and later, with colonial expansion, to North America and Australia. (Jones, Sweeny-Lynch, 80)
Apis mellifera is the most geographically widespread bee on Earth. It has been domesticated and exploited by humans for so long that its origins are now unclear. This genus probably arose in Africa and then spread to Europe and later, with colonial expansion, to North America and Australia. (Jones, Sweeny-Lynch, 80)