Kingdom : Animalia Class : Insecta Family : Apidae Scientific Name : Apis Size : 5 - 15mm (0.4 - 0.6in) Average Life Span : 6 weeks Colour : Brown, Yellow, Black Skin Type : Hair Special Features : Black and yellow body and sting on tail of the female
- The Honey Bees are small bees found all around the world.
- There are around 7 recognized species, and 44 sub species of Honey Bees.
- They inhabit forests, jungles, meadows and gardens.
- They are believed to originate from the South-East Asian Jungles.
- They are most famous for their involvement in production of honey.
- The honey bees build and live in a hive which is run by the Queen Honey Bee.
- The bees collect nectar from flowers and take it back to the hive to turn it into honey.
- The queen bee is the one laying eggs. The eggs are laid in a mound and sealed with wax.
- When the eggs hatch, the larvae eat their way out of the wax.
- The honey bees communicate by moving their tail, which is also called the dance language.
- They use this form of communication to warn each other about any danger.
- They are herbivores getting their nutrients from nectar, pollen, fruits and honey.
- They are vital to the ecosystem as 80% of the world’s crops are pollinated by the bees.
- Their numerous predators include Birds, small mammals, reptiles and other insects.
- Bears are also notorious for destroying bee hives to get to the honey inside.
- High pollution and habitat loss have made honey bees an endangered species