ABSTRACT
The genus Apis has recently been recognized as being more diverse than was previously believed. The taxonomy of the honey bees has been confusing, to say the least, for several reasons. First, the geographic variation found in the best known species Apis mellifera, is extensive. Second, most taxonomic studies of honey bees have been conducted on worker bees. The drones would be more appropriate to investigate but the genitalia pose some problems for study. Third, in spite of their much greater biological diversity, the honey bees of Asia have been relatively poorly studied. The honey bees, genus Apis, consist of a highly evolved, behaviorally complex group of insects. The recent recognition of at least seven and possibly more species presents incredible opportunities for apicultural researchers to make important, novel discoveries about honey bees.
