Honey Bee

Afrikaans name: Heuningby

Honey Bees perform a valuable role by pollinating plants

Photo © Steven Herbert

Apis mellifera

The Honey Bee is a familiar and useful insect. Some experts suggest that numbers of these bees are dropping world-wide and that the future of the human race could be influenced by their demise. Let's hope bee populations recover if they are actually declining! There are actually 8 species of Honey Bee that are recognised around the world. In South Africa we get Apis mellifera the Western Honey Bee.

Worker Honey Bees reach a length of 13 mm. Drones and Queens are larger.

These insects nest in natural and man-made cavities.

Honey and other bees are well-known for the role they have in pollinating flowers.

Photo © Steven Herbert

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 260

Pollinators, Predators and Parasites - Author: C. Scholtz, J. Scholtz, H. De Klerk - Published: 2021 - Page: 292

Suburban Wildlife in KZN - Author: Dr. Jason Londt - Published: 2009 - Page: 88

Remarkable Insects of South Africa - Author: Lambert Smith - Published: 2008 - Page: 69

Pollinators, Predators and Parasites - Author: C. Scholtz, J. Scholtz, H. De Klerk - Published: 2021 - Page: 393

Pollinators, Predators and Parasites - Author: C. Scholtz, J. Scholtz, H. De Klerk - Published: 2021 - Page: 75

Nature in the Balance - Author: Rob Marsh - Published: 1991 - Page: 9

Pocket Guide - Insects of South Africa - Author: Mike Picker & Charles Griffiths - Published: 2015 - Page: 137

Insectopedia - Author: Erik Holm - Published: 2017 - Page: 72

Insects of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Clarke H. Scholtz and Erik Holm - Published: 1989 - Page: 441

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 401

Field Guide to Insects of South Africa - Author: Mike Picker, Charles Griffiths and Alan Weaving - Published: 0 - Page: 420

Country Life - Issue 182 - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 72

African Insect Life - revised edition - Author: S.H. Skaife - Published: 1979 - Page: 235

For more info: Britannica

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