Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera)

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Honey bees of genus Apis are flower-visiting insects, classified under family Apidae in Super family Apidoedea, in general can be grouped into:

Open dwelling (living) honeybees-
They make one single comb hanging to tree branches, rock cliffs or in bushes. There are two major honeybees under this category.

(i) Rock bees (Apis dorsata)-
These species are large in size, hanging on large size combs with the rock cliffs, tree branches or high arches, etc. They have the ability to gather large quantities of honey. Honey in forests is produced as minor forest produce from these spices.

(ii) Little Honey Bee (Apis florae) -
This is a small sister of rock bee and makes small about 8-10 inches in size combs in bushes.

(b) Cavity Dwelling (Living) Honey Bees -
They makes their several parallel combs in the wall cavities of tree trunks or soil or the rocks. These are called Hive Bees. There are two major species of these Bees.

(i) Indian Hive Bees (Apis Cerana) –
These species are found through out the length and breadth of India including all adjoining Asian countries. It has several sub-species and strains.

European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) - These are, comparatively docile and very good gatherer of honey. These combs are larger in size. This has successfully been introduced in India and now working very well in various parts of the country.

Apis Mellifera Bees (Honey Bees):
The honey bee Apis Mellifera, is one of several species of bees that produce honey. Honey bees live in colonies, or hives, of 50,000 bees on average. A honey bee colony consists of queens,drones and workers. All play roles in the survival of the community