Appearance
Bees function primarily as pollinators, and like other insects have three body sections; a head, thorax, and abdomen. The head is where large multi-faceted eyes, long slender antennae, and chewing mouthparts are found. The thorax is the middle body section where the wings and legs attach. The last section is the abdomen, which contains many of the insect's organ systems and for female bees, ends in a sting. Special pollen-carrying hairs unique to female bees, called scopal hairs, resemble dense broom bristles and are commonly found on the rear legs or the underside of the abdomen. Some carry pollen in an almost hairless, flattened pollen basket on their rear legs.

Distinctive Features
Light to dark brown body with pale and dark hairs in bands on the abdomen. Pollen basket present on hind legs. Abdomen barrel-shaped. Head heart-shaped. Hairs scattered across compound eyes.

Life Cycle
Bees undergo complete metamorphosis, having an egg, larval, pupal, and adult stage. These social insects have three castes: a queen which produces offspring, female workers who conduct the hive maintenance and foraging, and males (drones) whose sole purpose is to mate with the new queen. The queen lays eggs singly within cells of the comb. Large colony size or queen death induce the rearing of new queens.

Habitat
Most European honey bee colonies are kept in man-made hives by beekeepers, also called apiarists. Some honey bees form colonies in natural cavities such as tree hollows.

Floral Resources
Adult bees feed on nectar while larvae are fed pollen and nectar.

Distribution
Throughout most states in the US, typically kept by apiarists.