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[R] Hymenopterous insect of the family Apidae; scientific name: Apis mellifera L. Domesticated since the antiquity, honey bees have been reared for the honey and wax which they produce and, more recently, for their pollinating activity.
Honey bees are social insects and colonies comprise one fertile female (the queen), sterile females (the workers), males (the drones), and larvae contained in honeycombs.
The foraging activity of the workers enables them to meet the needs of the colony for nectar (energy source) and pollen (stimulating growth of larvae). Workers feed the larvae and the queen, construct parallel wax combs of hexagonal cells, and perform household duties.
Modern apiculture makes use of selection techniques, artificial insemination, rearing and feeding, transhumance, etc.
Insecticides should be used responsibly to avoid killing these particularly beneficial insects.

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