Honey Bees (& Keeping Same) & Other Pollinators

[Stryder50]

Most knowledgeable and savvy gardeners know the value of pollinators and ideally include in their gardens plenty of plants that will attract such to their garden. These are ones that provide nectar and pollen and by being visited by bees, other insect and bird pollinators, will help your garden be bountiful with flowers and food for humans.

Haven't time to put as much here as I'd like, but will paste a few from another thread that are more useful here.

 

[Stryder50]

Many in the genral ublic get confused ab out "bees", especially honeybees, or bumble bees, etc. versus the more offensive and unpleasant sorts of other flying insects. Will need to make a couple posts to help sort this out.
~~~~~
Wasps, yellow-jackets, hornets, etc. are a different branch of this rather large insect clan, and usually are the more hostile and aggressive sorts. Honeybees hesitate to attack since they get only one sting and die, and the hive/colony has better use for them gathering nectar and pollen.

As one whom kept honeybees for a few years recently, I get chagrined at the stupid idiots whom can't make the distinctions from peaceful and useful pollinators such as honeybees, bumble bees, miner bees, etc. Even the wasps, yellow-jackets, hornets, etc. serve a useful purpose in hunting/preying other insect pests.

Sounds like you may have had a nest of 'wasps, yellow-jackets, hornets, etc.' rather than a hive of honeybees. Honeybees that swarm to find a new home usually go for some cluster of tree branches or opening to soffits or other less used and trafficked parts of human made structures. They may have to do some fabrication of outer structure, but usually seek a large open area in which to start making comb and laying eggs and packing in nectar~becomes honey, and pollen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Honey bee - Wikipedia​

honeybee | Characteristics, Habitat, Life Cycle, & Facts​

Honeybee | National Geographic - Animals​

Honey Bees - Facts, Information & Pictures - Animal Corner​

Honey Bee - Description, Habitat, Image, Diet, and Interesting Facts​

 

[Stryder50]

About the issue of "Africanized" honeybees; we'll start here;
...
Only (western) Honeybees -Apis mellifera - can be "Africanized", this coming from another strain of honeybee( Apis mellifera ) from Africa.
...

Africanized Bee Venom​

The venom of an Africanized bee is no more potent than that of a normal honey bee, but since the former subspecies tends to sting in greater numbers, the number of deaths from them are greater than any other subspecies. However, allergic reaction to bee venom from any bee can kill a person and it is difficult to estimate how many more people have died due to the presence of Africanized bees.

Gentle Africanized Bees​

Not all Africanized hives are defensive. Some are quite gentle, which gives a beginning point for beekeepers to breed a gentler stock. This has been done in Brazil, where bee incidents are much less common than they were during the first wave of the Africanized bees’ colonization. Now that the Africanized bee has been ‘re-domesticated’, it is considered the bee of choice for beekeeping in Brazil. It is better adapted to the tropics and so is healthier and more industrious than European bees.
...
Africanized Bees are also known as Africanized Honey Bees as they are a honey producing bee. Africanized Bees are also known as ‘Killer Bees‘ and are hybrids of the African Honey Bee and various European Honey Bees. The Africanized Bee in the western hemisphere descended from 26 Tanzanian queen bees (A. m. scutellata) accidentally released by a replacement bee keeper in 1957.
...

Africanized Bees - Facts, Information & Pictures

Africanized Bees are also known as Africanized Honey Bees as they are a honey producing bee. Africanized Bees are also known as 'Killer Bees' and are hybrids

animalcorner.org

Other "bees" can not be "Africanized", and as I said, many other types of "bees" such as wasps, yellow-jackets, hornets, etc. can be equal if not more aggressive and engage frequent attacks/stings.

Often these other non-honeybees, because they also are yellow with black strips looking sort of like honeybees are mis-identified by the public as "bees"~"honeybees". This mis-identification and ignorance on behavior of honeybees versus other similar "bees" has a majority of people using the generic term "bees" to cover not only beneficial and 'harmless' types like honey bee, bumble bee, mining bee, etc. but also the more harmful and aggressive sorts like wasps, hornets, yellow-jackets.

As I said, having been a keeper of honey bees for several years, this confusion and ignorance on types of "bees" has been an ongoing education effort. Also can be troublesome when we get persons claiming they have a "swarm of bees" they want removed and such turns out to be wasps, hornets, etc.

 

[Stryder50]

EXCERTS:
....

Types of Bees and How to Identify Them (Pictures, Names, Identification)​

Animals

Bees are small flying insects, common in summer gardens flying from flower to flower. Most bee species are recognizable by their striped fuzzy bodies—often with black and yellow or orange markings. There are 20,000 species of bees, and the most common – the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) – is famous for producing honey.

This article is a guide to the most popular species of bees you will find in your garden. Along with pictures of common bees, descriptions of these flying types of insects will help identify various bee species.

How to Identify Bees​

The best way to identify species of bees is by observing their shape, size, color, and habitats. However, bee identification can be tricky, and many species have similar characteristics. It may be easy to tell a bumble bee and honey bee apart, but identifying other bee species is challenging.
For example, bumble bees have fuzzy bodies with black and yellow stripes and are larger than honey bees. Most carpenter bees are similar to bumblebees but are mostly black, and they have shorter hairs.

The colors of bees vary from species to species. Many types of honey bees are brown or tan colors. However, larger carpenter bees are mostly black. Some bumble bee species can also be black, or some have black, white, and yellow markings. There are also fascinating bee species that have shiny green metallic colors.

Bees vs. Wasps – How to Tell the Difference​

Close up pictures of a honey bee (left) and a wasp (right)

Bees and wasps are closely related, and both belong to the insect order Hymenoptera. One way to tell bees and wasps apart is by the smoothness of their body. Wasps tend to have slender, smooth bodies, whereas bees have a furry appearance and are plumper. Also, bees can only sting once before dying, but wasps can sting multiple times.

Facts About Bees​

Bees, especially honey bees, are generally social creatures that live in large colonies. A single hive can contain between 20,000 and 80,000 worker bees. A bee colony is also highly organized, with a queen, drones, and workers caring for the beehive.

Even though many species of bees swarm in large groups, other species are solitary creatures.
Bees play a vital role in most ecosystems. Bees are crucial for pollinating flowers so that we have crops of fruit and vegetables every year. Also, bees produce honey, a delicious sweet food enjoyed by humans, animals, and birds.

Although many bees are species of stinging insects, they are generally not aggressive. Bees are usually docile creatures and don’t attack humans. However, Africanized bees are aggressive and territorial insects. The problem is that Africanized honey bees look like regular honey bees—Apis mellifera—and can attack without being provoked.

Bees feed on pollen and nectar from flowering plants. As bumblebees, carpenter bees, and honey bees move from plant to plant, they pollinate the flowers. Honey bees then take the nectar and pollen back to the colony where they produce honey—a food source for bees that never leaves the hive.

Types of Bees with Names and Pictures (Including Bee Identification Guide)​

Here is a list of different types of bees you might find buzzing around your garden (including bee identification guide with images).

Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)​

The Western honey bee has black and orange-yellow bands on the abdomen and hair on the thorax

Western honey bees have black and tan-yellow stripes on their slender bodies. Western honey bees are easy to identify as they have a honey-colored look and a relatively smooth abdomen. Honey bees have three pairs of fuzzy black legs, a pair of antennae, and two pairs of wings.
As with all bees, honey bees have a body in three segments—a head, thorax, and abdomen. The females’ hind legs have pollen pouches that they use to transport pollen back to the hive.
Western honey bees are also called European honey bees – these winged insects are the primary bee species used for honey production. Western honey bees are popular with beekeepers because they are not aggressive and produce plenty of honey.

Although there are over 20,000 bee species in the world, there are only eight honey bee species. These honey-producing insects in the genus Apis include the eastern honey bee (Apis cerana), the giant honey bee (Apis dorsata), and Koschevnikov’s honey bee (Apis koschevnikovi).

Western honey bee identification​

Western honey bees have a hairy brown-colored thorax and black and dark orange bands on their relatively smooth abdomen. Look for pollen baskets (corbicula) on their black hind legs. Honey bees can grow up to 1/2” (1.2 cm) long.

Bumble Bee (Bombus)​

Bumble bees can be identified by their fuzzy appearance and large black and yellow body with a white tail

Bumble bees are easy to spot with their round fuzzy bodies with black and yellow stripes and white tails. Depending on the bumble bee species, they may have red or yellow tails. There are 250 individual species of bumble bees, most of which have similar identifying features.
The name bumble bee literally means to buzz, hum, or move clumsily. This descriptive name accurately depicts their bumble behavior as they feed on flower pollen and nectar.

Unlike honey bees, bumble bees live in nests and smaller colonies. They only store small amounts of food in the nest. Also, bumble bees have a wider body and fuzzier appearance compared to honey bees. Similar to honey bees, bumble bees have pollen sacs on their hind legs.

Bumble bee identification​

Bumble bees are large bees with hairy bodies and legs. Look for distinctive yellow and black bands and tails that are generally white, but could also be yellow or red. Bumble bees grow up to 0.6” (1.7 cm).

.....​

@ 35 others in this link, with good color ID photos.
...

The Most Beneficial Types of Bees (With Identification Guide and Pictures) ​

Many Types of Bees and How to Identify Them (Pictures, Names, Identification Chart)

The Most Beneficial Types of Bees (With Identification Guide and Pictures)

 

[WinterBorn]

We kept bees for a few years. It was great. And the honey was the best I have ever tasted.

 

[Stryder50]

Insects That Look Like Bees (Flies, Wasps, Bugs) with Pictures and Identification (@17)​

Animals

Many insects mimic bees in their appearance, behavior, flying action, and size. Wasps are the most obvious bee mimics because of their black and yellow striped bodies and ability to cause a painful sting. However, some black and yellow flies, moths, beetles, and ants look remarkably like bees. Apart from wasps and hornets, many of the bugs that look like bees are relatively harmless. So, being able to identify insects that look like bees can help to spot harmless bugs from stinging ones.

In many cases, it’s easy to spot bee lookalikes by examining the body, antennae, and behavior. For example, bees have an identifiable furry body that is relatively stout. However, bee mimics such as wasps, hoverflies, bee flies, and beetles tend to have smooth bodies. In addition, while insects that resemble bees are generally pollinators, some flying insects, especially wasps, are more aggressive insects than bees.

A honey bee (in the picture) is characterized by its furry body, 2 pairs of wings and long antenna
This article is a guide to identifying various bug-like insects that look like bees. Descriptions and pictures of bee mimics will help to spot harmless flies, beetles, and ants from stinging bees. You will also learn how to tell the difference between bees and wasps.

What Are Bee Mimics?​

Bee mimics are bugs, flies, wasps, and other insects that are easy to mistake for bees. The bee-like insects usually have a dark body with yellow stripes—characteristics of honeybees and other bee species. In addition, some bee lookalikes have stingers, either real ones like wasps have, or imitation ones.

Bee mimics use their behavior and appearance to ward off predators. Some insects resembling bees have fuzzy hairs, make buzzing sounds, and have a similar body form. For example, one type of bee-like fly has a long protruding tongue that looks like an extended stinger.

What Insects Look Like Bees?​

Wasps are the most common flying insects that are mistaken for bees. However, their slender, smooth bodies soon give them away as not being bees. Hoverflies are the bugs that most resemble honeybees. The solitary insects are hairy and look and act just like you’d expect a typical bee to behave.

The yellow-jacket moth, bee-fly, European hornet, bee beetle, and the four-spotted velvet ant are other common bee-like insects.

...​

17 Insects That Look Like Bees (Flies, Wasps, Bugs) - Pictures and Identification

Insects That Look Like Bees (Flies, Wasps, Bugs) with Pictures and Identification

leafyplace.com

 

[Stryder50]

Another helpful and useful identification site;

Types of Black Bees (Pictures) – How to Identify Big and Small Black Bees and How They Differ From Bumblebees​

...

Types of Black Bees (Pictures) - Identification of Big and Small Black Bees

Types of Black Bees (Pictures) - Identification of Big and Small Black Bees

leafyplace.com

 

[Stryder50]

One type of "bee" but often mistaken for honeybees.
...
Hornets (insects in the genus Vespa) are the largest of the eusocial wasps, and are similar in appearance to their close relatives yellowjackets. Some species can reach up to 5.5 cm (2.2 in) in length. They are distinguished from other vespine wasps by the relatively large top margin of the head. Worldwide, 22 species of Vespa are recognized.[2][3] Most species only occur in the tropics of Asia, though the European hornet (V. crabro), is widely distributed throughout Europe, Russia, North America, and north-eastern Asia. Wasps native to North America in the genus Dolichovespula are commonly referred to as hornets (e.g., baldfaced hornets), but are actually yellowjackets.

Like other social wasps, hornets build communal nests by chewing wood to make a papery pulp. Each nest has one queen, which lays eggs and is attended by workers that, while genetically female, cannot lay fertile eggs. Most species make exposed nests in trees and shrubs, but some (such as Vespa orientalis) build their nests underground or in other cavities. In the tropics, these nests may last year-round, but in temperate areas, the nest dies over the winter, with lone queens hibernating in leaf litter or other insulative material until the spring. Male hornets are docile and do not have stingers.

Hornets are often considered pests, as they aggressively guard their nesting sites when threatened and their stings can be more dangerous than those of bees.[4]
...

Hornet - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[White 6]

Many in the genral ublic get confused ab out "bees", especially honeybees, or bumble bees, etc. versus the more offensive and unpleasant sorts of other flying insects. Will need to make a couple posts to help sort this out.
~~~~~
Wasps, yellow-jackets, hornets, etc. are a different branch of this rather large insect clan, and usually are the more hostile and aggressive sorts. Honeybees hesitate to attack since they get only one sting and die, and the hive/colony has better use for them gathering nectar and pollen.

As one whom kept honeybees for a few years recently, I get chagrined at the stupid idiots whom can't make the distinctions from peaceful and useful pollinators such as honeybees, bumble bees, miner bees, etc. Even the wasps, yellow-jackets, hornets, etc. serve a useful purpose in hunting/preying other insect pests.

Sounds like you may have had a nest of 'wasps, yellow-jackets, hornets, etc.' rather than a hive of honeybees. Honeybees that swarm to find a new home usually go for some cluster of tree branches or opening to soffits or other less used and trafficked parts of human made structures. They may have to do some fabrication of outer structure, but usually seek a large open area in which to start making comb and laying eggs and packing in nectar~becomes honey, and pollen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Honey bee - Wikipedia​

honeybee | Characteristics, Habitat, Life Cycle, & Facts​

Honeybee | National Geographic - Animals​

Honey Bees - Facts, Information & Pictures - Animal Corner​

Honey Bee - Description, Habitat, Image, Diet, and Interesting Facts​

Have kept bees, harvested swarms and sold honey. As long as they are not pissed, I am a bee person. I find no use for anything in the wasp family and tend to pass out with a few stings. I kill all wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, I safely can and hire others to kill the ones I can't or won't take the chance to kill. It's not the pain or passing out. It's the not knowing for sure, you're gonna come to.

 

[Muhammed]

Most knowledgeable and savvy gardeners know the value of pollinators and ideally include in their gardens plenty of plants that will attract such to their garden. These are ones that provide nectar and pollen and by being visited by bees, other insect and bird pollinators, will help your garden be bountiful with flowers and food for humans.

Haven't time to put as much here as I'd like, but will paste a few from another thread that are more useful here.

There is a place where they keep honeybees to gather the honey less than a mile from my home. So I don't really have to worry about my plants getting pollinated.

Sure, honeybees will sting you if you really threaten them, but when I'm out gardening in the back yard they don't bother me and I don't mess with them while they are doing their busy bee business. They are very welcome to bee here.

I don't fuck with them and they don't fuck with me. We have a very symbeeotic relationship.

 

[whoisit]

Most knowledgeable and savvy gardeners know the value of pollinators and ideally include in their gardens plenty of plants that will attract such to their garden. These are ones that provide nectar and pollen and by being visited by bees, other insect and bird pollinators, will help your garden be bountiful with flowers and food for humans.

Haven't time to put as much here as I'd like, but will paste a few from another thread that are more useful here.

Bees love Milk Weed, Monarchs eat it down to just a stem. We have it planted here all around the tard.It's neat watching them build coccoon and come out of it, I hsve pictures of one somewhere.

Milk Weed plant,

 

[Stryder50]

What Is It Like to Be a Bee?​

A philosophical and neurobiological look into the apian mind.

What Is It Like to Be a Bee?

A philosophical and neurobiological look into the apian mind.

getpocket.com

 

[tyroneweaver]

Most knowledgeable and savvy gardeners know the value of pollinators and ideally include in their gardens plenty of plants that will attract such to their garden. These are ones that provide nectar and pollen and by being visited by bees, other insect and bird pollinators, will help your garden be bountiful with flowers and food for humans.

Haven't time to put as much here as I'd like, but will paste a few from another thread that are more useful here.

guy in my church wants to put bees on my place
but theres not any alfalfa fields around here. all row crop

 

[Mindful]

Bees love Milk Weed, Monarchs eat it down to just a stem. We have it planted here all around the tard.It's neat watching them build coccoon and come out of it, I hsve pictures of one somewhere.

Milk Weed plant,

I planted a milk weed in my American garden, to attract the Monarch. The thrill of a lifetime, to see those butterflies; they don’t exist in Europe.

I would even travel to Mexico to visit their end destination.

 

[WinterBorn]

I planted a milk weed in my American garden, to attract the Monarch. The thrill of a lifetime, to see those butterflies; they don’t exist in Europe.

I would even travel to Mexico to visit their end destination.

Seeing the monarchs come through on their migration is epic.

 

[Stryder50]

Nearly half of US honeybee colonies died last year. Struggling beekeepers stabilize population​

Nearly half of US honeybee colonies died last year. Struggling beekeepers stabilize population

A new survey says America's honeybee hives just staggered through the second highest death rate on record, with beekeepers losing nearly half of their managed colonies.

apnews.com

 

[Mindful]

Seeing the monarchs come through on their migration is epic.

European migrations.

This Tiny Butterfly Can Fly a Record 2,500 Miles at a Time From Europe to Africa

The painted lady is the longest continuously migrating butterfly ever recorded.

www.nationalgeographic.com

 

[MarathonMike]

Nealy all the bees in Arizona are "Africanized". That's ok unless you happen to distub a hive. If you do and start getting stung you better run as fast as you can as far as you can because they will sting you and follow you for several hundred yards. We have several animal and human deaths every year from hundreds of bee stings.

 

[Hossfly]

Most knowledgeable and savvy gardeners know the value of pollinators and ideally include in their gardens plenty of plants that will attract such to their garden. These are ones that provide nectar and pollen and by being visited by bees, other insect and bird pollinators, will help your garden be bountiful with flowers and food for humans.

Haven't time to put as much here as I'd like, but will paste a few from another thread that are more useful here.

Stryder50 FYI

In 2020 we had an infestation of the "Murder Hornets" and I called the Texas Department of Agriculture. An agent from Dallas came out and gave the people in my hood a lecture and a video that blew our minds. Since then we have not paid any attention to the killers and have not seen any for the past 2 years. Thank God for the busy little honey bees. I learned 70 years ago living on a farm not to harm pollinators as the are vital for 3/4 of the worlds plants and trees.


Enjoy the 3 minute video..

Honeybees Not Defenseless Against Murder Hornets, Watch Them ROAST One Alive! (VIDEO) - Think Americana - Trending Daily News

Talk about something that's insane, the media is already trying to tell the public what they should be afraid of next. Just as things are finally starting to ease up just the slightest bit, the media starts pushing the story about the "murder hornet" and how it has now been seen in America...

thinkamericana.com

'

 

[MarathonMike]

Stryder50 FYI
re
In 2020 we had an infestation of the "Murder Hornets" and I called the Texas Department of Agriculture. An agent from Dallas came out and gave the people in my hood a lecture and a video that blew our minds. Since then we have not paid any attention to the killers and have not seen any for the past 2 years. Thank God for the busy little honey bees. I learned 70 years ago living on a farm not to harm pollinators as the are vital for 3/4 of the worlds plants and trees.


Enjoy the 3 minute video..

Honeybees Not Defenseless Against Murder Hornets, Watch Them ROAST One Alive! (VIDEO) - Think Americana - Trending Daily News

Talk about something that's insane, the media is already trying to tell the public what they should be afraid of next. Just as things are finally starting to ease up just the slightest bit, the media starts pushing the story about the "murder hornet" and how it has now been seen in America...

thinkamericana.com

'

Interesting, I haven't read much about murder hornets recently, maybe that means they aren't spreading?