Apidae Apidae

Apidae - Definition and Overview

'Apidae'
Honeybee
Honeybee
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Subphylum:Hexapoda
Class:Insecta
Subclass:Pterygota
Infraclass:Neoptera
Superorder:Endopterygota
Order:Hymenoptera
Suborder:Apocrita
Superfamily:Apoidea
Family:Apidae
Subfamilies

Apinae - Honeybees
Bombinae - Bumblebees
Euglossinae - Orchid bees
Meliponinae - Stingless bees
Nomadinae
Xylocopinae - Carpenter bees


The Apidae are a large family of bees, comprising the common honeybees, stingless bees (which are also cultured for honey), carpenter bees, and bumblebees. Honeybees and bumblebees are colonial, though they are believed to have developed this independently, and show notable differences in such things as communication between workers. Carpenter bees are solitary, though they tend to be gregarious.

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