Apis mellifera

Apis mellifera - sometimes named the western honey bee, has evolved over the millennia to take advantage of nectar secretion by flowering plants. Its scientific name means 'honey bearing' or 'honey producing' bee which refers to its ability to collect and process nectar and to store it as honey so that it can survive periods when food is scarce. In common with all other members of this family (Apidae), Apis mellifera has specially adapted pollen baskets (corbiculae) on their hind legs that are used to carry both pollen and propolis back to the nest.

Apis mellifera is a social bee. Its nest has a sophisticated architecture made of multiple combs constructed from beeswax and, under natural conditions, built inside a protective cavity. This feature allows people to take ownership of bees and manage them to their advantage when they transfer them to artificial 'cavities' - the containers we know as bee hives. The natural distribution range of Apis mellifera is from the south of Africa, through the Middle East and Europe to north of the Arctic circle in Scandinavia. Movement of this honey bee by humans has ensured it now has an almost worldwide distribution The wide variations of environmental, topographic and climatic conditions that have influenced the evolution of Apis mellifera have resulted in significant variations in the characteristics of these honey bees in different environments. These are considered races and the variation between these races of honey bees has a considerable impact on practical beekeeping.