West Mill Lane, Small Dole, Henfield, W Sussex (footpath by stream leading to waterworks - on a common fleabane). Very distinctive by its hairy body and in particular the markings on its abdomen. I believe it is female because the eyes in males kind of meet up (amd are larger therefore). You can see a gap around the eye in this one, so it's a female. It's not a Queen though and instead is a "Worker".

Honey Bee ♀︎ (Apis mellifera) - Apidae (20/08/2023) West Mill Lane, Small Dole, Henfield, W Sussex (footpath by stream leading to waterworks - on a common fleabane). Very distinctive by its hairy body and in particular the markings on its abdomen. I believe it is female because the eyes in males kind of meet up (amd are larger therefore). You can see a gap around the eye in this one, so it's a female. It's not a Queen though and instead is a "Worker".

West Mill Lane, Small Dole, Henfield, W Sussex (footpath by stream leading to waterworks). Queens are much larger than this, and males are larger than "normal" females who are called Workers - the males are the ones termed Drones.

Honey Bee ♀︎ (Apis mellifera) - Apidae (20/08/2023) West Mill Lane, Small Dole, Henfield, W Sussex (footpath by stream leading to waterworks). Queens are much larger than this, and males are larger than "normal" females who are called Workers - the males are the ones termed Drones.

West Mill Lane, Small Dole, Henfield, W Sussex (footpath by stream leading to waterworks - on a Common Fleabane). Females are the only ones with a stinger, thus males (called "Drones") can't sting you! Native wild honeybees are no longer believed to exist but managed fees do escape and become feral.

Honey Bee ♀︎ (Apis mellifera) - Apidae (20/08/2023) West Mill Lane, Small Dole, Henfield, W Sussex (footpath by stream leading to waterworks - on a Common Fleabane). Females are the only ones with a stinger, thus males (called "Drones") can't sting you! Native wild honeybees are no longer believed to exist but managed fees do escape and become feral.