The Honeybee is known to most people as the bee which is kept in hives by beekeepers to produce honey and to fertilise crops. The provenance of Irish individuals is not certain, but the current understanding is that the dark, almost black individuals are of the native subspecies Apis mellifera mellifera, and the lighter individuals with orange bands are of other subspecies from  continental European countries. Wild populations typically nest in old tree crevices or buildings at around 1.5m high.

Distribution in Ireland: Widespread and common across the entire island.

Flight Period: All year, but much less active from November-February.

Habitat: Can be seen in virtually any habitat type. Common in urban areas.

Flowers visited: A large variety of native and non-native plants.

Personal Records: I have observed this species at virtually every site I have visited, usually in good numbers and visiting a wide variety of flowers. It is unclear whether these are wild or domesticated. ‘Wild’ Honey Bees nest in a variety of arboreal settings, such as tree crevices but also old buildings.