Honey bees are an insect of great economic importance. They are responsible for the pollination of many of our crops, and of course, we derive honey from their stored collections of nectar. Honey is nectar that has been modified by enzymes in the digestive system of the bee. It is then regurgitated into storage cells within the hive where it cures and is available for later use by the bees, or as a food source for humans, bears, or other animals with a sweet tooth!

Bees may be identified from the wasps by their overall hairiness. They also have enlarged, flattened segments on the hind legs. On of these segments is typically fringed with long, stiff hairs which are used to cary pollen. Unlike most other bees, all castes of honey bees within the colony survive the winter. Another difference from wasps entails the feeding of honey and pollen to the larvae instead of meat or insect bits as in the wasps.