Bee

Bees are a monophyletic clade (Anthophila) that evolved from wasp-like ancestors; molecular and fossil evidence indicate an origin in the Early Cretaceous associated with the diversification of flowering plants, with close evolutionary ties to certain solitary stinging wasps (e.g., Ammoplanidae) and parallels to pollen-feeding wasps.

Bees are winged insects with large compound eyes and three ocelli; antennae that are geniculate (elbowed) with typically 13 segments in males and 12 in females; mouthparts including mandibles and a long proboscis for nectar feeding; a thorax with three segments each bearing a pair of legs and paired membranous wings that couple in flight; many species show bright contrasting bands of yellow, orange, or red against black and range in size from under 2 mm to about 39 mm.

Bees feed on nectar (carbohydrates) and collect pollen (protein and nutrients for larvae). Social species (honey bees, bumblebees, stingless bees) form colonies and some (notably the western honey bee) produce and store honey; however, most bee species are solitary and do not produce large stores of honey or wax. Bees are important pollinators with major ecological and agricultural roles. Many species can sting as a defense, and bright banding commonly functions as aposematic signaling; antennae and sensory structures provide touch, smell, taste, light-intensity detection (ocelli), and mechanoreception for detecting air movement, while wings are adapted for sustained and maneuverable flight.