Skip to main content

Black Dwarf Honey Bee

Apis andreniformis

Photo by John B.
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

15.4558, 119.921

Field Notes

Description:

Apidae; Apis; Micrapis (Sub Genus); Apis andreniformis F. Smith, 1858. Wikipedia says "A. andreniformis can be distinguished from other Apis species by noting their dark black coloration, making them the darkest of their genus". That description seems to fit the bee shown here. The Wikipedia picture is a museum specimen, mounted with a pin through it. I am never very good at at comparing my photos of living specimens with dead ones, but luckily inaturalist.org has many pictures which look like mine. So, Apis andreniformis it is.

Habitat:

Spotted crawling around on some stones and bits of broken concrete stored in an old flower pot in our front garden. The stones and concrete chips were for use as drainage in the bottom of flowerpots, but this bee seemed to have something else in mind. Could it have been looking for a place to start a new nest? Only time will tell.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment

Sign in to comment
Photographed
PublishedJuly 26, 2022

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon