Apiology: The Study of Bees - Honeybee: Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper - page 18

Class : Insecta
Subclass : Pterygota
Infraclass : Neoptera
Superorder : Endopterygota
Order : Hymenoptera
Suborder : Apocrita
Family : Apidae
Subfamily : Apinae
Tribe : Apini
Genus : Apis
In 1758, Carolus Linnaeus gave the honeybee its scientific name, Apis mel-
lifera. In Latin it literally means, “the honey-carrying bee.” A more accurate
name, A. mellifica, “the honey-making bee,” was introduced in 1761. The
Linnaeus name remained because of rules dictating scientific nomenclature,
but A. mellifica is occasionally used in older bee-related literature.
HIVE TOOL
Billy pointed out an old cistern filled with water specifically for the bees to drink
from. Curious how bees drink water, I wandered over for a peek. Floating on wayward
leaves and twigs were the honeybees, sucking up cool water with their long tongues.
A few bees had fallen into the cistern and were scrambling helplessly in the water, at-
tempting to grab hold of a floating twig or leaf for refuge. Figuring I could help, I
offered my hive tool. One by one, they each took hold of my tool with all six legs, and
I was able to carry them over to a floating leaf for safety.