The honey-producing bees, also known as honey bees, are mostly grouped in the genus Apis. However, we also find bees that produce honey within the Meliponini tribe, although in this case we are talking about a different honey, less abundant and more liquid, which has traditionally been used for medicinal purposes.
In this article on our site we will show you all types of honey bees of the genus Apis, including those species that are extinct, with information about the species, characteristics and photos.
European bee or western honey bee
The European honey bee (Apis mellifera) is probably one of the most popular honey bee species and was classified by Carl Nilsson Linnaeus in 1758. There are up to 20 recognized species and it originates fromEurope, Africa and Asia , although it has now spread to all continents, except Antarctica[1]
There is a great economic interest behind this species, since its pollination contributes significantly to world food production, in addition to produce honey, pollen, wax, royal jelly and propolis. [1] However, the use of certain pesticides, such as calcium polysulfide or Rotenat CE®, negatively affect the species, which is why which is so important to bet on organic farming and the use of non-harmful pesticides[2]
Also discover on our site how bees make honey.
Asian honey bee or Oriental honey bee
The Asian bee (Apis cerana) is similar to the European bee, being slightly smaller. It is native to Southeast Asia and lives in various countries, such as China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Bangladesh or Indonesia, however, it has also been introduced in Papua New Guinea, Australia and the Solomon Islands[3]
A recent study confirms that the presence of this species has decreased, mainly in Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Japan and Korea of the South, as well as its production due mainly to the conversion of forests into rubber and palm oil plantations. Likewise, it has also been affected by the introduction of the Apis mellifera by beekeepers from Southeast Asia, since it offers greater productivity than the endemic ones, in turn causing the appearance of various diseases in the Asian bee [3].
It is important to note that Apis nuluensis is currently considered a subspecies of Apis cerana.
Dwarf Asian Honey Bee
The Asian dwarf honey bee (Apis florea) has traditionally been confused with the Apis andreniformis, also of Asian origin, due to their morphological similarities. However, they differ mainly by one of the forelimbs, which is noticeably longer in the case of Apis florea [4].
It stretches about 7,000 km from the extreme east of Vietnam to southeastern China[4] However, as of 1985 their presence was noticed on the African continent, probably due to global transport. Colonies were also later observed in the Middle East[5]
It is common for entire families to subsist on the honey produced by these bees, despite the fact that this sometimes leads to the death of entire colonies, due to poor management and lack of beekeeping knowledge[6].
Don't miss our article on the life cycle of honey bees.
Giant Bee or Large Asian Bee
The giant bee (Apis dorsata) stands out mainly for its large size when compared to other types of honey bees, ranking among the 17 and the 20mm. It lives in tropical and subtropical regions, mainly in Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Australia, forming extravagant nests in the branches of trees, always located near food sources[7]
Intraspecific aggressive behaviors have been observed in this species during times of migration to new nests, specifically among individual explorers who were inspecting the same areas for nesting. In these cases there are violent fights that include bites, causing the death of the individuals involved[8]
It is important to note that Apis laboriosa is currently considered a subspecies of Apis dorsata.
Philippine Honey Bee
The Philippine honey bee (Apis nigrocincta) is found in Philippines and Indonesia and measures about 5, 5 and 5, 9 mm[9] It is a species that nests in cavities, such as holes in trunks, caves or human structures, usually close to the ground[10]
Being a species recognized relatively recently time and generally confused with a nearby Apis, there is still little data on the species, but as a curiosity we can add that it is a species that can start new hives throughout the year, although there are certain factors that predispose it, such as predation by other species, lack of resources or extreme temperatures [10]
Also discover the differences between wasps and bees.
Koschevnikov's bee
Koschevnikov's bee (Apis koschevnikovi) is a species endemic to Borneo, Malaysia and Indonesia, thus sharing habitat with Apis cerana Nuluensis [eleven]Like other Asian bees, Koschevnikov's bees tend to nest in cavities, although their presence in the environment is being seriously affected by deforestation, caused by plantations of tea, palm oil, rubber and coconut [12]
Unlike other types of honey bees, this species has a tendency to create very small colonies, allowing it to survive in humid and rainy climates. Despite this, it stores resources easily and reproduces at a fast rate during flowering[13]
Asian dark dwarf honey bee
The Asian dark dwarf honey bee (Apis andreniformis) inhabits Southeast Asia, encompassing China, India, Burma, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines [14]This is one of the species of honey bees that has gone most unnoticed for years, because was believed to be a subspecies of Apis florea, something that various studies have denied[14]
They are the darkest individuals of their genus and create their colonies in small trees or bushes, thus taking advantage of the vegetation to go unnoticed. They are usually built close to the ground, at an average height of 2.5 m[15].
Extinct honey bee species
Besides the species of honey bees that we have mentioned, there are others that no longer inhabit planet earth and that are considered extinct:
- Apis armbrusteri
- Apis lithohermaea
- Apis nearctica
More on honey bees
Bees are small animals but immensely important for maintaining the balance of planet earth, due to their important functions, the most prominent being pollinationFor this reason, we share this video from EcologíaVerde in which more information about the importance of bees is offered.
But in addition, you can also delve into the life of the hive and discover how a bee becomes a queen, an incredible process in in which the entire colony is involved. So, if you like bees as much as we do, don't hesitate to visit these articles, you'll love them!
