Honey Bee

Description:

Medium-sized (body length of worker 13 mm). Workers black, with pale hairs on head, thorax and base of abdomen. Basal segments of abdomen more of less banded in reddish brown. Legs black. Wings clear. Queens resemble workers but are larger. Males (drones) are also larger, but darker, the abdomen lacking banding and squared off (rather than pointed at tip)

Habitat:

Diverse

Notes:

Nest in existing cavities and builds vertical parallel combs of wax with 2 layers of hexagonal cells opening at opposite ends. Larvae are fed progressively by workers. The Cape Honey Bee invades and supplants colonies of the less aggressive African Honey Bee. Although very important as crop pollinators, honey bees may deprive more specialized and efficient indigenous bees of pollen and nectar, effectively reducing pollination of wild flowers.