Bees are flying insects within the order Hymenoptera, a large group that also includes sawflies, wasps, and ants. These insects are recognized by their two pairs of membranous wings and chewing mouthparts, which can be modified into a proboscis for drinking nectar. Bees are a diverse and widespread presence across various ecosystems. They undergo complete metamorphosis, progressing through egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages.
Common Bee Species
Honey bees (Apis mellifera), bumblebees, and solitary bees are commonly recognized species. Honey bees have golden-brown bodies with black bands. They live in large, organized colonies and are known for producing honey. Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) are larger and fuzzier, with black and yellow stripes. They form smaller colonies, often nesting in abandoned rodent burrows or under dense vegetation.
Solitary bees, which constitute over 90% of all bee species, do not live in communal hives but build individual nests. Mason bees (Osmia spp.) are metallic-colored, often blue or green, and construct nests in natural cavities like holes in wood or hollow stems, lining them with mud. Leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.) are stout-bodied with large mandibles, using circular pieces of leaves to build cells within nests in tunnels in soil, wood, or stems. Carpenter bees (Xylocopa spp.) resemble bumblebees but have a shiny, hairless black abdomen and bore into wood to create nesting sites.
The Role of Bees
Bees play an important role in maintaining biodiversity through pollination, the transfer of pollen grains between plants to enable fertilization and seed production. This process is important for the reproduction of many plant species, including those humans rely on for food. Bees and other pollinators contribute to approximately 35% of the world’s total crop production, pollinating 87 of 115 leading food crops globally, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and oilseeds.
Pollination by bees supports nearly 90% of wildflower plants and 75% of edible plantations. Beyond food production, their activity helps maintain healthy habitats and provides food and shelter for other wildlife. Native bee species are efficient pollinators of local flora, with some specialized to pollinate specific plant species. The economic value of wild bee pollination for crops in the United States alone is estimated to be over $5 billion annually.
Bee Behavior and Organization
Social bee colonies, such as those of honey bees, exhibit a social structure with distinct roles for the queen, workers, and drones. The queen bee is responsible for egg-laying and regulating hive activity through pheromones, chemical signals recognized by the entire colony. Worker bees, which are non-reproducing females, perform various tasks including hive cleaning, food collection, and foraging. Drones are the male bees whose role is reproduction.
Honey bees communicate the location of food sources, water, or new nest sites to other colony members through specific dances inside the hive. The “waggle dance” is a figure-eight pattern. The length of the waggle run indicates the distance to the resource, while the angle of the dance relative to gravity conveys the direction in relation to the sun. For closer food sources, honey bees perform a “round dance,” which indicates proximity but not precise direction.
Bee Products and Human Connection
Bees produce several substances with various uses for humans. Honey, a sweet substance made by bees from flower nectar, serves as a food source and has been historically used as a remedy for various ailments due to its potential antimicrobial properties. Beeswax, secreted by worker bees, is used to build honeycombs and has applications in candles, cosmetics, and as a lubricant or polish.
Propolis, often called “bee glue,” is a resinous mixture of plant resins, beeswax, and bee saliva that bees use to seal and protect their hives from microorganisms. It is recognized for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, finding use in skincare, wound healing, and as a dietary supplement. Royal jelly, a milky substance secreted by worker bees, is fed to all larvae and is the exclusive diet for queen bees. This nutrient-rich substance is valued for its rejuvenating and anti-aging properties.
Protecting Bee Populations
Bee populations globally face multiple threats, including habitat loss, pesticide use, and the effects of climate change. As urban areas expand and agricultural practices intensify, natural habitats that bees rely on for nutrition and nesting are fractured or disappear. Pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids, can harm bees by impairing their navigation, reproduction, and overall health, even at sublethal doses. Climate change impacts bees through altered temperatures, precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events, which can reduce floral resources and destroy habitats.
Individuals can take steps to support bee health. Planting native wildflowers in gardens and around agricultural areas provides diverse food sources for bees. Creating bee watering stations helps bees cool their hives and stay hydrated. Providing nesting habitats, such as bee houses for solitary bees, supports the next generation of these pollinators. Supporting local beekeepers and advocating for bee-friendly environmental and agricultural policies also contributes to broader conservation efforts.