• Apis mellifera is commonly called the Western honey bee or European honey bee.

  • It belongs to the genus Apis.

  • Honey bees are important pollinators and therefore contribute significantly to agricultural productivity.

  • Products include:

    • Honey

    • Beeswax

    • Propolis

    • Royal jelly

  • Beekeeping is known as apiculture.

  • Pollinators are important for biodiversity, food security and ecosystem functioning.

Key Pointers

  • Common name: Western honey bee

  • Genus: Apis

  • Importance: Pollination + honey production

  • Practice: Apiculture

  • UPSC angle: Pollinators + food security + biodiversity