Public symbols offer a unique way for a state to recognize and celebrate the natural resources and industries that define its identity. Many states designate official birds, trees, and flowers, but they also sometimes choose a specific insect. Nebraska formally adopted a representative from the arthropod class. This legal designation highlights an organism with a substantial impact on the state’s environment and economy.
The Western Honey Bee
Nebraska’s official state insect is the Western Honey Bee, scientifically known as Apis mellifera. This species is not native to North America but is a domesticated insect widely established across the state in managed hives. Worker bees typically measure about 1.2 centimeters in length. Their bodies are colored reddish-brown to yellow, marked with dark bands on the abdomen.
The Western Honey Bee is a social insect, living in large colonies that often contain tens of thousands of individuals. The thorax, or midsection, of the bee is covered with fine, frayed hairs, which aids in pollen collection. These bees are the only species in Nebraska managed specifically for large-scale honey production.
Importance to Nebraska Agriculture
The primary reason this species achieved official state status lies in its economic and ecological contribution to Nebraska’s agricultural sector. The honey bee is the state’s most important managed pollinator, playing a vital role in the reproduction of numerous cultivated crops. Specific Nebraska crops, including alfalfa, sweet clover, and sunflowers, rely heavily on these insects for successful seed and fruit set.
Pollination services also benefit specialty fruits and vegetables grown in the state, such as apples, cucumbers, and cantaloupes. The beekeeping industry represents a significant local economy, with honey production reported as a multi-million dollar business. Beekeepers manage tens of thousands of colonies, yielding millions of pounds of honey.
The Legislative Process of Adoption
The Western Honey Bee was officially adopted as Nebraska’s state insect in 1975. This designation was achieved through legislative bill LB 15, which codified the honey bee’s status into state law. The action acknowledged the insect’s agricultural and commercial value within the state.
The process of adopting a state symbol typically begins with a proposal, often championed by citizen groups or schoolchildren. The proposal then moves through the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature. Once introduced, the bill is assigned to a committee for a public hearing before advancing through debate and voting.