Content
- Types of bees that produce honey
- european bee
- Asian bee
- Asian Dwarf Bee
- giant bee
- Philippine bee
- Koschevnikov's bee
- Dwarf Asian Black Bee
- Types of extinct bees
- Types of Brazilian Bees
- Types of bees: learn more
At bees that make honey, also known as honey bees, are grouped mainly in the genus Apis. However, we can find honey bees also within the tribe. meliponini, although in this case it is a different honey, less abundant and more liquid, which is traditionally used for medicinal purposes.
In this PeritoAnimal article, we'll show you all the types of bees that produce honey like Apis, including those that are extinct, with information about the species, their characteristics and photos.
Types of bees that produce honey
These are the main types of bees that produce honey:
- European bee
- Asian bee
- Asian Dwarf Bee
- giant bee
- Philippine bee
- Koschevnikov's bee
- Dwarf Asian Black Bee
- Apis armbrusteri
- Apis lithohermaea
- Apis nearctica
european bee
THE european bee or western honeybee (Apis mellifera) is probably one of the most popular species of bees and was classified by Carl Nilsson Linneaus in 1758. There are up to 20 recognized species and it is native to the Europe, Africa and Asia, although it has spread to all continents, with the exception of Antarctica. [1]
There's one great economic interest behind this species, because its pollination contributes significantly to global food production, in addition to producing honey, pollen, wax, royal jelly and propolis. [1] However, the use of certain pesticides, such as calcium polysulfide or Rotenat CE®, negatively affects the species, which is why it is so important to bet on organic agriculture and the use of non-harmful pesticides. [2]
Asian bee
THE asian bee (Apis cerana) is similar to the European bee, being slightly smaller. She is native to Southeast Asia and lives in several countries such as China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Bangladesh and Indonesia, however, it was also introduced in Papua New Guinea, Australia and the Solomon Islands. [3]
A recent study confirms that the presence of this species decreased, mainly in Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Japan and South Korea, as well as its production, mainly due to forest conversion in rubber and palm oil plantations. Likewise, she was also affected by the introduction of the Apis mellifera by Southeast Asian beekeepers, as it offers greater productivity than endemic bees, while causing several illnesses on the Asian bee. [3]
It is important to emphasize that Apis nuluensis is currently considered a subspecies of Apis cerana.
Asian Dwarf Bee
THE dwarf asian bee (Apis florea) is a type of bee that has been commonly confused with the Apis andreniformis, also of Asian origin, due to their morphological similarities. However, they can be mainly differentiated by one of its front members, which is noticeably longer in the case of the Apis florea. [4]
The species extends for about 7,000 km from the extreme. east of Vietnam to southeast of China. [4] However, from 1985 onwards, its presence on the African continent began to be noticed, probably due to the global transport. Later colonies were also observed in the Middle East. [5]
It is common for entire families to subsist on the honey produced by these bees, although this sometimes results in colony death due to poor management and lack of knowledge about beekeeping. [6]
giant bee
THE giant bee or Asian giant bee (Apis dorsata) stands out mainly for its big size when compared to other types of bees, ranging between 17 and 20 mm. Lives in tropical and subtropical regions, mainly in Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Australia, making fancy nests in tree branches, always located close to food sources. [7]
Intraspecific aggressive behaviors were observed in this species during periods of migration to new nests, specifically among individuals that were inspecting the same areas to build the nest. In these cases, there are violent fights that include bites, which causes the death of individuals involved.[8]
It is important to emphasize that laborious apis is currently considered a subspecies of Apis dorsata.
Also get to know the most poisonous insects in Brazil
Philippine bee
THE Philippine honey bee (Apis nigrocincta) is present in Philippines and Indonesia and measures between 5.5 and 5.9 mm.[9] It's a species that nests in cavities, such as hollow logs, caves or human structures, usually close to the ground. [10]
being a species recognized relatively recently and usually confused with the Near Apis, we still have little data on this species, but a curiosity is that it is a species that can initiate new hives throughout the year, although there are certain factors that predispose to this, such as predation by other species, lack of resources or extreme temperatures.[10]
Koschevnikov's bee
THE Koschevnikov's bee (Apis koschevnikovi) is an endemic species to Borneo, Malaysia and Indonesia, therefore sharing its habitat with Apis cerana Nuluensis. [11] Like other Asian bees, Koschevnikov's bee usually nests in cavities, although its presence in the environment is being severely affected by deforestation caused by plantations of tea, palm oil, rubber and coconut. [12]
Unlike other types of bees, this species tends to breed very small colonies, which allows its survival in humid and rainy climates. Despite this, it stores resources easily and reproduces at an accelerated rate during flowering. [13]
Dwarf Asian Black Bee
THE dark dwarf bee (Apis andreniformis) inhabits Southeast Asia, encompassing China, India, Burma, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. [14] It is one of the species of honey bees that has gone unnoticed for years, because believed to be a subspecies of Apis florea, something that several studies have disproved. [14]
It is the darkest black bee of its genus. Create their colonies in small trees or bushes, taking advantage of the vegetation to go unnoticed. They usually build them close to the ground, at an average altitude of 2.5 m. [15]
Types of extinct bees
In addition to the species of bees we mentioned, there were other types of bees that no longer inhabit the planet and are considered extinct:
- Apis armbrusteri
- Apis lithohermaea
- Apis nearctica
Types of Brazilian Bees
there are six types of bees native to the Brazilian territory:
- Melipona scutellaris: also called uruçu bee, nordestina uruçu or urusu, they are known for their size and for being stingless bees. They are typical of the Northeast of Brazil.
- Quadrifasciate melipona: also known as mandaçaia bee, it has a strong and muscular body and is typical of the southern region of the country.
- Melipona fasciculata: also called gray uruçu, it has a black body with gray stripes. They are famous for their high honey production capacity. They can be found in the North, Northeast and Midwest regions of the country.
- Rufiventris: also known as Uruçu-Amarela, tujuba can be found in the Northeast and Center-South regions of the country. They are famous for their high honey production capacity.
- Nannotrigone testaceicornis: can be called the Iraí bee, it is an indigenous bee that can be found in almost all regions of Brazil. They adapt well in urban areas.
- Angular tetragonisca: also called yellow jataí bee, gold bee, jati, real mosquito, it is an indigenous bee and can be found in almost all of Latin America. Popularly, its honey is known to help with vision-related treatments.
Types of bees: learn more
Bees are small animals, but immensely important to maintain the balance of planet Earth, due to their important functions, being the pollination the most outstanding. That's why, at PeritoAnimal, we offer more information about these little hymenoptera by explaining what would happen if bees disappeared.
Suggestion: If you liked this article, find out too how ants reproduce.