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

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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