| Scientific name | Apis mellifera |
|---|---|
| Group | Bees & Wasps |
| Size | 12–15 mm (up to about 0.59 in) |
| Colors | Yellow, Brown and Black |
| Legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | Yes |
| Where found | Garden or plants |
| Most active | Spring, Summer and Fall |
| Bites | No |
| Stings | Yes |
| Risk level | Can bite or sting |
How to identify it
The honey bee is a small member of the bees & wasps group. Two pairs of wings and, in females, a stinger at the tip of the abdomen. Check for these three features:
- Golden-brown to amber body with dark abdominal bands
- Hairy thorax and pollen baskets on the hind legs
- Barbed stinger left behind after stinging
About this bug
A fuzzy, golden-brown bee with darker bands that pollinates crops and flowers and lives in large colonies. A worker's barbed stinger stays in the skin after it stings.
You'll usually find honey bees in gardens and on plants. They are most active in spring, summer and fall.
Is it dangerous?
A honey bee sting is painful and can trigger life-threatening allergic reactions in sensitive people; call a local beekeeper for swarms.
Our rating: Can bite or sting, meaning it can bite or sting, usually with mild, local effects.
When you'll see honey bees
Honey Bees are most active in spring, summer and fall. In spring, overwintering adults become active and many species lay their first eggs. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly. In fall, many bugs look for shelter, and some move toward or into buildings.
Typical places to check: garden or plants.
About bees & wasps
The honey bee is one of the bees & wasps. Bees and wasps belong to the same order as ants. Social species such as honey bees, bumble bees, yellowjackets and hornets live in colonies with a queen, while solitary species such as mud daubers and cicada killers raise their young alone. Only females can sting, because the stinger is a modified egg-laying tube.
Social wasp colonies grow all summer and are largest and most defensive in late summer and early fall. Most colonies die off in winter, leaving only new queens to start over in spring.
Should you get rid of it?
No control is needed. Honey Bees are not pests, and many help by eating other insects or pollinating plants. If one is indoors, move it outside with a cup and a sheet of paper.
Bugs that look similar
Color: Honey Bees are yellow, brown and black; yellowjackets are yellow and black.
Size: Bumble Bees are larger, reaching 25 mm, while honey bees top out around 15 mm.
Frequently asked questions
What does a honey bee look like?
Golden-brown to amber body with dark abdominal bands. Adults measure 12–15 mm (up to about 0.59 in).
Does the honey bee bite or sting?
It does not bite. It can sting. A honey bee sting is painful and can trigger life-threatening allergic reactions in sensitive people; call a local beekeeper for swarms.
Where do honey bees live?
Honey Bees live in gardens and on plants.
When are honey bees most active?
Mostly in spring, summer and fall.