apis mellifera - Beekeeping Supplies Protective Clothing Beekeeping Equipment

Western or European Honeybee
(apis mellifera)

* No insect can actually be "domesticated" like a cat or dog, in terms of changing its behavior to be more docile and loyal to humans. The term as applied here only refers to the primary living conditions of the colony. If the bees are domestically managed in an apiary, they are "domesticated". If they are in the wild, they are "feral".

Honeybee foraging
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Apis mellifera is the common European, or Western, honeybee, member of the order hymenoptera. The domesticated* Western honeybee has escaped into the wild (forming feral colonies) wherever there are suitable, temperate environmental conditions. Apis mellifera is kept in most regions of the world for its honey, beeswax, propolis and collected pollen. The species has developed into several subspecies (races), which differ slightly in size, color, gentleness and productivity.

Subspecies of apis mellifera (a.m.) include: a. m. ligustica (Italian), the most common domesticated bee; a.m. caucasia (Caucasian); a.m. carnica (Carniolan) a.m. mellifera (German black); and a.m. scutellata / a.m. adonsonii / a.m. intermissa (African). The species is very different in behavior and appearance from the wasp.

Honeybees and their Life