Apis mellifera

Honeybees live in highly organized colonies led by a queen, with workers foraging for nectar and pollen and drones for mating. They communicate through the "waggle dance," a behavior that helps inform other bees about the direction and distance of food sources.

The queen is the sole fertile female in the colony, laying thousands of eggs each day. Worker bees, which are sterile females, care for the brood and forage, while male drones mate with the queen during the breeding season.

Honeybees are equipped with specialized mouthparts for feeding on nectar, and their legs have pollen baskets to collect pollen. Their stingers are used for defense, and they are capable of only one sting per bee, as the stinger remains embedded in the target.

Native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, honeybees have been domesticated for honey production for thousands of years. They were introduced to the Americas in the 17th century and are now a critical part of agricultural pollination worldwide.

Honeybee populations are currently under threat due to habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and disease, leading to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Conservation efforts are focused on protecting habitats, reducing pesticide exposure, and supporting sustainable beekeeping practices.