Classification of Honey Bees

Questions and Answers

There are no morphologically different subspecies in Apis mellifera.

False

How do Apis mellifera often originate?

From swarms

Where do Apis mellifera often live? (List three places)

Cavities in rocks, hollow trees, or cavities in structures

What is the scientific name for the honey bee?

Apis mellifera Signup and view all the answers

Why is Apis mellifera considered domesticated?

Extensive breeding of desirable characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What is the risk associated with importation of Apis mellifera?

They introduce additional pests and parasites. Signup and view all the answers

When did living things start being classified and by who?

in the 1700s (18th century) by Carl Linnaeus - started a system for naming living organisms Signup and view all the answers

What is the basic naming system for plants and animals?

Plants and animals are given a scientific name of 2 parts (binomial) - the first is the generic name (corresponds to genus) and the second is the species name Signup and view all the answers

What is the scientific name for a honey bee?

Apis mellifera L. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'L.' at the end of Apis mellifera stand for?

Stands for Linnaeus - scientific names carry the name of the individual who first described the species Signup and view all the answers

How many scientific names did Linnaeus designate?

~9000 Signup and view all the answers

An insect's common name is 2 words if the insect is classified in a taxonomic grouping to which the name applies. Give examples.

Ex: honey bee, house fly - they are a bee and a fly; but dragonfly is one word because it's not a fly and ladybug isn't a bug, it's a beetle Signup and view all the answers

When is 'honey bee' hyphenated?

When used as a compound modifier placed before the word it modifies (ex: honey-bee physiology) Signup and view all the answers

How many types of honey bees are in Europe?

1 Signup and view all the answers

What types of living things are included in the classification system?

All living things that feed, grow, respond to stimuli and reproduce Signup and view all the answers

Most divisions in classification are based mainly on what?

Anatomical features (morphology) Signup and view all the answers

What division isn't based on morphology?

Species Signup and view all the answers

What are three other things that frequently help classify organisms?

Appearance, behaviour, and biochemical relationships Signup and view all the answers

What are the main categories of classification?

Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species Signup and view all the answers

Are there any other classifications used other than the main categories?

True Signup and view all the answers

What are two intermediate categories often used in honey bee classification?

Suborder and superfamily Signup and view all the answers

What is the broadest classification?

Kingdom Signup and view all the answers

How many kingdoms are there and what are two of them?

There are 5 or 6 - Plant and Animal are 2 Signup and view all the answers

What are kingdoms divided into?

Major groups called phyla (phylum for singular) Signup and view all the answers

What is a phylum?

A group of organisms whose members have certain structural characteristics in common Signup and view all the answers

What are the principal animal phyla? Give examples for each.

<ol> <li>Porifera - sponges; 2. Cnidaria - jellyfish, corals, sea anemones; 3. Platyhelminthes - flatworms, flukes, tapeworms; 4. Nemathelminthes - round worms; 5. Mollusca - clams, snails, squids; 6. Annelida - earthworms, leeches; 7. Arthropoda - spiders, insects, lobsters; 8. Echinodermata - starfish, brittle stars, sea urchins; 9. Chordata - fish, birds, mammals (including humans)</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are 6 commonalities between all arthropods?

All have a segmented body, paired segmented appendages, an exoskeleton, are bilaterally symmetrical with a tubular alimentary canal, have an open circulatory system, and lack a backbone (invertebrates) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the world's animals do arthropods make up?

81.1% Signup and view all the answers

What are the major classes in Phylum Arthropoda?

Crustacea, Diplopoda, Chilopoda, Merostomata, Pycnogonida, Arachnida, Insecta Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of Class Insecta?

Many have 2 body regions and 8 legs; some (like centipedes and millipedes) have more. Signup and view all the answers

All insects possess characteristics of arthropods but are further distinguished by what anatomical features?

3 body regions (head, thorax, abdomen), 1 pair of antennae, normally 3 pairs of legs, usually 1 or 2 pairs of wings Signup and view all the answers

How many different species are in Class Insecta?

1-20 million Signup and view all the answers

What is the most dominant animal group on Earth?

Insects Signup and view all the answers

How many species of insects could you find in your home if you looked?

over 1000 Signup and view all the answers

What type of insects are commonly found in large numbers?

Social insects Signup and view all the answers

What are classes broken down into?

Orders Signup and view all the answers

How many orders are in Class Insecta?

Some scientists say 26, some say 31 Signup and view all the answers

What are the main characteristics that distinguish orders?

Body shape, wings, appendages, type of mouthparts Signup and view all the answers

What 4 large orders have most of the insect species?

Diptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera Signup and view all the answers

What is Order Hymenoptera?

Large, diverse group of 100k+ species; refers to membrane-like features of the 2 pairs of wings and many have social habits Signup and view all the answers

Are all social insects classified in Order Hymenoptera?

False Signup and view all the answers

Why is it hard to list shared characteristics of hymenopterans?

Because there's such great diversity Signup and view all the answers

What are the two suborders in Order Hymenoptera?

Symphyta and Apocrita Signup and view all the answers

What are members of the Apocrita suborder characterized by?

Have constricted abdomen, wings that are membrane-like, larvae that don't resemble caterpillars and generally don't damage plants by directly feeding Signup and view all the answers

How do some adult bees and wasps damage plants?

Some that are specialized herbivores feed on nectar and pollen; some wasps but not bees cause minor plant damage from biting mouthparts Signup and view all the answers

Apocrita are further divided into what two major groups?

Parasitica and Aculeates Signup and view all the answers

What are the two large aculeate superfamilies?

Vespoidea and Apoidea Signup and view all the answers

In the superfamily Apoidea, how many species of bees are estimated globally and how many families and genera are these classified into?

20k species of bees, classified into 10-11 families and over 150 genera Signup and view all the answers

Bees are unlike other insects in that they have what three features?

Body covered with plumose (branched) hairs; special body hairs for pollen transport on hind legs or lower abdominal surface; use pollen and nectar from plants as a sole food source Signup and view all the answers

How old is the oldest fossilized bee?

~40 million years old Signup and view all the answers

How long ago did the first bees evolve and what did they evolve from?

~100 million years ago from wasps Signup and view all the answers

What did bees diversify with?

Bees speciated/diversified as flowering plants did Signup and view all the answers

What is one feature that can make some bees look like wasps?

Short tongues Signup and view all the answers

Can bees be parasitic on other bees?

True Signup and view all the answers

How many commonly recognized families of bees are there and how many are found in North America?

9 recognized families, 7 found in NA Signup and view all the answers

What are the 7 families of bees found in North America?

Colletidae, Halictidae, Andrenidae, Megachilidae, Dasypodidae, Apidae Signup and view all the answers

What is the Colletidae family known for and what are its two major genera?

Most primitive bees; Hylaeus and Colletes are 2 major genera Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the Hylaeus genera of family Colletidae?

Wasp-like in appearance; members are parasitic with a few pollen-collecting hairs. Signup and view all the answers

What describes the Colletes genera of family Colletidae?

Large, robust and quite hairy bees; ground-nesting but seldom abundant except at nesting sites. Signup and view all the answers

When are most species in family Colletidae adults?

spring or fall Signup and view all the answers

Which family represents 60-70% of Apoidea in eastern US?

Family Halictidae (sweet bees) Signup and view all the answers

What is the Halictidae family known for?

Different family members exhibit different degrees of social development Signup and view all the answers

Name five genera in family Halictidae.

Green bees, Augochlor, Agapostemon, Halictus, Dialictus, Lasioglossum, Nomia, Dufourea, and others. Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about family Andrenidae (sand or digger bees)?

Has many species in North America; members aren't very diverse in habitats or appearance. Signup and view all the answers

Name three genera in family Andrenidae.

Andrena, Perdita, and Calliopsis. Signup and view all the answers

What is known about the families Melittidae and Dasypodidae?

Two small families with species in Africa and NA; little known about these soil-nesting bees. Signup and view all the answers

What do members of family Megachilidae (Leafcutting and mason bees) have in common?

Largest family but members are very uniform in appearance; most nest in existing cavities using non-secreted material. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main genera in family Megachilidae?

Megachile, Osmia, Anthidium, Hoplitis, Heriades. Signup and view all the answers

What is Megachile rotundata?

Useful pollinator of alfalfa and megachile nests that are available commercially. Signup and view all the answers

Who are mason bee nests popular with?

Gardening homeowners Signup and view all the answers

What does family Apidae (long-tongued bees) include?

Includes honey bees, bumble bees, and a wide range of genera formerly classified as family Anthophoridae. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three common subfamilies in family Apidae?

Apinae, Nomadinae, and Xylocopinae. Signup and view all the answers

Where do the Bombus species (bumble bees) occur from?

They occur from the tropics of the Arctic, with more species in colder climates. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the orchid bee genus (Euglossa) mostly found?

In the tropics Signup and view all the answers

Where and for what are stingless bees used?

Found in Central/South America; they have been kept by people for honey production. Signup and view all the answers

What is the general structure of Apidae that are eusocial?

Social structure of a worker, queen, and drone. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes honey bees from all other bees?

The presence of pollen baskets (corbiculae) which are flattened, smooth, shiny areas surrounded by fringe hairs. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the corbicula found?

On the exterior surface of the hind leg tibia Signup and view all the answers

Which specific Apidae lack corbiculae?

Queens, drones, and some parasitic and solitary Apidae. Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of Apis species?

Hairy eyes, long narrow marginal cell of the front wing, and no spurs on the tibia of the hind legs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first known genus Apis fossil?

Dates to a honey bee fossil found in Baltic amber ~40 million years old. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Apis mellifera L. species likely develop?

Likely developed as a species in Africa but the genus likely differentiated from wasps in Southeast Asia. Signup and view all the answers

What suggests genus Apis hasn't undergone great evolutionary changes?

Fossils from 30 million years ago are very similar to present species. Signup and view all the answers

How many recognized honey bee species and subspecies are there?

7-11 recognized species and 44 total subspecies currently; historically, 6011 species have been recognized, including a species from North America. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four widely recognized and distributed bee species in the genus Apis?

Apis mellifera, Apis cerana, Apis dorsata, and Apis florea. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of hives do Apis florea build and where?

Builds exposed single combs in trees or bushes in Oman, Iran, Pakistan, India, Southeast Asia, and Indonesia; size of a house fly. Signup and view all the answers

What is the appearance of Apis florea bees?

Colour of abdomen varies from all black to bright chestnut brown; usually has two transverse abdominal bands of short pale hairs. Signup and view all the answers

How do humans usually interact with Apis florea?

People rob their nests for honey, but their stings can't usually penetrate human skin. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Apis adreniformis undesirable for beekeeping?

Slightly larger than Apis florea, hairier, and a bit more defensive. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of hives do Apis dorsata build and where?

Build large, single comb exposed nests on high branches, buildings, or cliffs in Pakistan, India, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Philippines, and southern China. Signup and view all the answers

What is the appearance of Apis dorsata?

Giant honey bee with elongated yellowish to black abdomen, tranverse bands of short pale hairs, long dusky wings, and a thorax covered with dense black and tan hairs. Signup and view all the answers

What are human interactions with Apis dorsata bees?

They've never been managed by humans but are robbed of their honey; their nests are frequently destroyed for honey and wax. Signup and view all the answers

What is the temperament of Apis dorsata bees?

Very defensive. Signup and view all the answers

Have attempts to bring Apis dorsata to America been successful?

False Signup and view all the answers

How does Apis dorsata compare to its related species, Apis laboriosa?

Apis laboriosa is slightly larger and hairier. Signup and view all the answers

Where have Apis cerana been kept and for how long?

Kept by Indian and Chinese beekeepers for centuries. Signup and view all the answers

Where else are Apis cerana found?

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan. Signup and view all the answers

What other type of bee does Apis cerana closely resemble and what is the difference?

Closely resembles common western honey bee but is a bit smaller. Signup and view all the answers

Apis cerana hives and foundations are scaled down to suit their smaller size.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is a risk of bringing Apis cerana to America for backyard beekeepers?

They may not adapt well to local ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classification of living things began in the 1700s by Carl Linnaeus, who established a binomial naming system.
The scientific name for a honey bee is Apis mellifera L., where "L." refers to Linnaeus, the first describer of the species.
Linnaeus designated approximately 9000 scientific names.
Insect common names typically consist of two words when they fit a specific taxonomic grouping, such as "honey bee" or "house fly."
Honey bee is hyphenated when used as a compound modifier, e.g., "honey-bee physiology."
Europe is home to one type of honey bee.

Classification System Hierarchy

All living organisms are classified based on traits like feeding, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli.
Classification divisions primarily rely on anatomical features, whereas species designation doesn't focus on morphology.
Critical classifications include Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species, with additional intermediate categories like suborder and superfamily.
There are five to six kingdoms, with plants and animals as two examples.
Each kingdom is divided into major groups called phyla.

Phyla and Arthropods

Phylum classifications are based on shared structural characteristics.
Nine principal animal phyla include Porifera (sponges), Chordata (fish, birds, mammals), and Arthropoda (insects, spiders).
Arthropods account for over 81% of the world's animal species and have defining characteristics like segmented bodies and exoskeletons.
Major classes in Phylum Arthropoda include Crustacea (lobsters), Arachnida (spiders), and Insecta (insects).

Insect Classification

Class Insecta typically includes two body regions and has three pairs of legs, among other specific features.
Estimates of insect species range from 1 to 20 million, with insects dominating animal diversity.
Insect orders are differentiated by characteristics like body shape, wings, appendages, and mouthparts, with four large orders housing the most species: Diptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and Hymenoptera.

Order Hymenoptera and Bees

The Hymenoptera order includes over 100,000 species, with both social and solitary insects.
Significant suborders include Symphata (sawflies) and Apocrita (ants, wasps, bees), with Apocrita further divided into parasitic and aculeate groups.
The superfamily Apoidea comprises around 20,000 bees, classified into 10 to 11 families and over 150 genera.
Bees are distinct from other insects due to their plumose hair for pollen transport and reliance on pollen and nectar.

Honey Bee Species

Seven to eleven recognized honey bee species exist, with four widely known: Apis mellifera, Apis cerana, Apis dorsata, and Apis florea.
Bees have existed for around 100 million years, primarily evolving from wasps alongside the diversification of flowering plants.
Apis mellifera is frequently managed by humans, while other species like Apis dorsata remain wild and undomesticated.

Honey Bee Characteristics

Honey bees possess unique features like pollen baskets on hind legs and specific eye and wing structures.
The oldest known honey bee fossil, approximately 40 million years old, suggests a long evolutionary timeline with stable characteristics.
Interaction with various species varies, with Apis florea collecting honey while typically not stinging humans, contrasting with the more defensive Apis dorsata.

Families of Bees in North America

North America hosts seven families of bees, including Halictidae (sweet bees) and Apidae (long-tongued bees).
Each family showcases diverse behaviors, habitats, and nesting preferences; for instance, Megachilidae members primarily use existing cavities for nesting.
Social bees, like those in the Apidae family, exhibit complex social structures, often comprising workers, queens, and drones.

Summary of Key Families

Colletidae (Plaster Bees): Primitive bees, mainly present in spring and fall.
Halictidae (Sweet Bees): Diverse social structures and comprise 60-70% of Apoidea in Eastern US.
Andrenidae (Sand/Digger Bees): Solitary nesting, often with a short flight season linked to flower availability.
Megachilidae: Notable pollinators of early flowering trees, members exhibit high uniformity.
Apidae: Includes well-known species like honey bees and bumblebees, characterized by their social structures.

Evolution and Human Interaction

Apis mellifera has a long history of human management, widely hybridized, and adjusted to various ecosystems globally.
Risks associated with importing other species like Apis cerana include potential introduction of pests and parasites, leading to ecological impacts.

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Description

This quiz covers the classification of honey bees and the history of biological naming. Learn about the contributions of Carl Linnaeus and the binomial naming system used in taxonomy. Get ready to enhance your understanding of the scientific classification of living organisms.