Λεξικό .. Apidae (Bees)

A family of the order of hymenoptera. Apidae are divided into the genus Apis, the honey bees and Bombus, the bumble bees.

Bees are aprox. 1,5 cm long, fairly hairy and brownish coloured with moderately noticeable abdominal bands. They are cultivated for honey production and pollination of fruit trees all over the world. Different races exist which are all morphologically similar but differ in behaviour. Whole hives survive during winter. Bee stings can, therefore, occur on exceptionally warm, sunny winter days but most frequently they occur in spring, summer and fall. Usually the stinger remains in the skin of the victim.

References

Mueller, U.R.: Insect sting Allergy. Gustav Fisher, 1990, p. 5.