# Bee (*Apis mellifera*) Bees are small flying insects that live in hives. They collect nectar from flowers to make sweet honey. Bees are important pollinators that help plants grow. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 812 - **Habitat:** Forests, Grasslands, Urban areas - **Also known as:** European Honey Bee, Honey Bee, Honeybee, Western Honey Bee ![Bee](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426049/objects/5895.jpg) ## Appearance The Bee is a fuzzy insect, typically striped with alternating bands of black and bright yellow or orange. It has two pairs of clear wings and six legs. Its stout, hairy body distinguishes it from sleek, less-hairy wasps. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Apidae - **Genus:** Apis ## Interesting facts - A queen bee can lay up to 2,000 eggs every single day during peak season! - Bees have five eyes: two large compound eyes and three simple eyes on top of their head. - To make just one pound of honey, bees must visit about two million flowers! - Worker bees are all female, and they do all the jobs like foraging, cleaning, and caring for young. ## Special abilities - **Pollination Power:** Bee can pollinate plants because of its hairy body and flight, helping flowers make seeds and fruits for ecosystems. - **Sweet Architect:** Bee can build intricate hexagonal wax comb structures because of special glands, which helps store honey and care for young. - **Waggle Dance Navigator:** Bee has a unique 'waggle dance' communication method that helps them share directions to food sources with hive mates. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-25 mm - **Size:** 10-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 15-150 days - **Flight Speed:** 30 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 80000 ## Diet & Feeding Bees sip nectar for energy and collect pollen for protein, helping plants grow and thrive. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Water, Honey - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Sunflower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sunflower) (*Helianthus annuus*) — Helps the sunflower produce seeds. - **Parasitizes:** Varroa mite (*Varroa destructor*) — Feeds on bee's blood, weakening colony. - **Eaten by:** Asian hornet (*Vespa velutina*) — Hornets hunt and kill bees near their hives. - **Symbiotic with:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Humans manage hives for honey and pollination. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Symbiotic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/symbiotic): Describes a relationship between two different species where they live in close association, often benefiting one or both. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Bees are usually not dangerous but avoid disturbing their hives. If a bee comes near, stay calm and still. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bee? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Bee's wingspan? 20-25 mm ### How big is Bee? 10-15 mm ### How long does Bee live? 15-150 days ### How fast can Bee fly? 30 km/h ### What does Bee eat? Bees sip nectar for energy and collect pollen for protein, helping plants grow and thrive. ### Where is Bee usually found? Forests, Grasslands, Urban areas ### How does Bee hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Advance Mills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/advance-mills) — Virginia, US · Neighborhood - [American Baptist College](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/american-baptist-college) — Tennessee, US · Campus - [Anderson University](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/anderson-university) — South Carolina, US · Campus - [Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/antelope-valley-california-poppy-reserve-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/armstrong-redwoods-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Arnold Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arnold-arboretum) — Massachusetts, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Bee](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/bee) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Bee: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bee)