Apis mellifera
Apis mellifera is the Western honey bee, a non-native species to the United States. It is the most commonly found honey bee worldwide. This species can produce individual colonies that house tens of thousands of individuals. This eusocial insect is well studied on its methods of communication. It uses both pheromones and a dance language to communicate with one another.
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Species: Apis mellifera
Photograph: © 2007 RKD Peterson
Date of Photograph: 31 May 2007
Location: Montana, Gallatin Co. (45o43'41" N 111o08'11" W)