Post History

Source: https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/q/14620
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

<p>I live in Massachusetts, in the Northeastern region of the United States. </p>

<p>As a lover of bees, I'd like to learn how to identify some varieties, including their behavior, and how they're raised. Major types of bee habitats include domestic, meaning hand-raised in hives by beekeepers, frequently in someone's yard; and wild (also called feral), being raised without human intervention, in the woods and other natural areas. </p>

<p>When I have bees eating in my yard, I'd like to know how to tell if they're being raised in a local hive, or if they live in the wild but are stopping by on their way someplace else? One reason I ask is, if they're being raised locally, I'd like to try to find the beekeeper! </p>

<p>This question was inspired by a different <a href="https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/questions/13880/do-bees-at-the-hummingbird-feeders-keep-the-birds-away">question</a> about the possible effect of bees on hummingbirds at the hummingbird feeders in my yard.  </p>

<p>These are the bees to which I was referring.  </p>

<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/3B4po.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/3B4po.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>A former beekeeper, 243DRob, posted a comment, in part:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Those are domesticated honey bees. They came from a local hive within 3 miles of your home. The bees will use your "nectar" to make honey. If their hive is owned by a beekeeper (most likely), then your "nectar" will end up in the honey they sell.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>I was fascinated to learn that. Obviously, as a beekeeper, a quick look at a picture was all he needed to make the identification. As a layperson, can I learn to do it without much difficulty? </p>

<p>What obvious things should I look for? What about size; shape; color; how they interact with each other or birds; which flowers they like; which type of hummingbird nectar or feeder; the time of the day; the month or season; the presence or absence of other pollinators; or some other variable I haven't mentioned? </p>

<p>I know there are scientific ways to study bees, including <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melittology" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Melittology</a>, <a href="https://www.agfoundation.org/news/the-art-science-of-beekeeping" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Apiology</a>, and others. </p>

<p>I'm hoping that depth of knowledge isn't necessary for this question.</p>