Close up of a honeybee

European honey bee

European honey bees have been introduced to nearly all parts of the world by humans, but they are thought to have originated in India. Their colonies are long-lasting and may last for many years. The bees live on stored reserves of food and huddle together in a large mass during cold winter weather. The drones are turned outside in autumn to die once their reproductive role is over.

Would we starve without bees?

Is a bee as smart as a sat nav?

Scientific name: Apis mellifera

Rank: Species

Common names:

Western honey bee

Watch video clips from past programmes (19 clips)


View all 19 video clips


The European honey bee can be found in a number of locations including: Africa, Asia, Australia, China, Europe, North America, Russia, South America, United Kingdom, Wales. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.


The following habitats are found across the European honey bee distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.



Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web


  1. Life
  2. Animals
  3. Arthropods
  4. Insects
  5. Ants, bees and wasps
  6. Bees
  7. Apis
  8. European honey bee

Video collections


Elsewhere on the BBC