Bees in Australia identification

Asian honey bees (Apis cerana) can be simply mistaken for typical European honey bees (Apis mellifera), and other local native bees. Make certain you are able to recognize Asian honey bees before organising to truly have the bees eliminated, because European honey bees and native bees are essential to the environment for pollination and honey production.

Bee identification chart

Use this chart under absolutely help determine bees.

Up to 10mm

Yellow/dark brown to black colored stripes

Ebony

Yes

Yes

Yes - bees will begin to travel in and out of this cavity entrance.

Up to 15mm

Yellow/brown to darkish stripes

Ebony

Yes

Yes

Yes - bees would be fly to the cavity entry and crawl into the nest.

4mm

Ebony

Black

No

No

Yes - bees will loosely fly round the entrance. Entry gap to nest is very little.

8-12mm

Yellow/dark brown stripes

Orange to red

Yes

No

No - digs/burrows holes when you look at the ground.

11-12mm

Golden thorax, iridescent blue or white stripes

Grey, furry and black colored

Yes

No

No - digs/burrows holes within the floor.

24mm

Brilliant yellow thorax and black stomach

Black and furry

Yes

No

No - digs/burrows holes in smooth wood.

• Kept: Apis cerana, the Asian honey bee. Appropriate: Apis mellifera, the European honey bee. (Image: Paul Zborowski)
• Asian honey bee (Image: Arthur Giblin)
• European honey-bee (Image: Arthur Giblin)
• Little black bush bee (picture: Arthur Giblin)

• Halictadae (Picture: Arthur Giblin)
• Female carpenter bee (Image: Arthur Giblin)
• Blue-banded bees (Image: Erica Seigal)