Worker with full pollen basket on hind leg. Sitton Peak trail, CA. 05/15/06. © Peter J. Bryant |
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera Hymenoptera: Apidae Exotic species, thought to have originated in Africa or Asia and introduced into North America in the early 1600s Back to Hymenoptera index page |
Worker (sterile female). Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton, Orange County, CA. 01-09-10. © Ron Hemberger |
Worker (sterile female). Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton, Orange County, CA. 01-09-10. © Ron Hemberger |
Worker with full pollen basket on hind leg. Big Canyon, Newport Beach, Orange County, CA. 10/05/06. © Peter J. Bryant |
Drone (male). Eyes are large and holoptic (meet in the midline). William Heise County Park, Julian, San Diego County, CA. 5/24/2015. © Patricia Simpson |
Swarm in Irvine, Orange, Orange County, CA. 10-15-08. © Ron Hemberger |
Swarm, Upper Newport Bay, CA. 06/08/06. © Peter J. Bryant |
Swarm, Upper Newport Bay, CA. 06/08/06. © Peter J. Bryant |
Swarm, Upper Newport Bay, CA. 06/08/06. © Peter J. Bryant |
Wild Hive, Upper Newport Bay, CA. 07/31/06. © Peter J. Bryant |
Wild Hive, Upper Newport Bay, CA. 07/31/06. © Peter J. Bryant |
Winter honeybee. Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton, Orange County, CA. 2-20-07. © Ron Hemberger |
Winter honeybee. Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton, Orange County, CA. 2-20-07. © Ron Hemberger |
Winter honeybee. Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton, Orange County, CA. 2-20-07. © Ron Hemberger |
Profile Of An Old Bee The color and appearance of this bee set it apart. Note its darkness, thinness of hair on the thorax, and ragged edges on the wings. Such “winter” honeybees live longer than their summer fellows because they overwinter in the hive until first flowers are available. This particular worker seems different not only because of its late age, but by having no brownish yellow at the basis of its abdomen: the exception rather than the rule in most parts of North America, where variety ligustica dominates. Its large size suggests this old-timer belongs to (or at least has most of its genes from) variety carniolica. Although they can fly to forage far enough, they go seldom further than a five miles radius from their hive, either "wild" or owned by a bee-keeper. Hairy compound eyes and wing venation are quite peculiar to Apis, and are unmistakable hallmarks. Information kindly provided by Richard Vernier |