Apis

  • Family: Apidae
  • Tribe: Apini
  • Approximate # of species in our region: 1
  • Common name: honey bees

Apis is the genus of honey bees, represented by a single species in North America Apis mellifera. Worldwide, the six species of Apis all form eusocial, perennial colonies with egg-laying queens and non-reproductive female workers. Few feral colonies of A. mellifera exist in our region; most honey bees colonies are kept by beekeepers. Given that honey bees have foraging distances of several miles, and highly generalized foraging preferences, we expect to find honey bees on flowers on most outings close to where people live. In fact, not seeing a honey bee is often quite noteworthy.  

Species covered:

Scientific NameCommon NamePhenologyHabitatForage
Apis melliferaEuropean honey beeMarch-OctoberNot wildGeneralist

Species requiring accounts: none