Melittology (from Greek μέλιττα, melitta, "bee"; and -λογία -logia) is a branch of entomology concerning the scientific study of bees. It can also be called apiology or apicology. Melittology covers the species found in the clade Anthophila within the superfamily Apoidea, comprising more than 20,000 species,[1] including bumblebees and honey bees.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Drinking_Bee.jpg/220px-Drinking_Bee.jpg)
Subdivisions
edit- Apiology – (from Latin apis, "bee"; and Ancient Greek -λογία, -logia) is the scientific study of honey bees. Honey bees are often chosen as a study group to answer questions on the evolution of social systems.
- Apidology is a variant spelling of apiology used outside of the Western Hemisphere, primarily in Europe; it is sometimes used interchangeably with melittology.
Melittological societies
editMelittologists and apiologists are served by a number of scientific societies, both national and international in scope. Their main role is to encourage the study of bees and apicultural research.
Melittological journals
edit- Apidologie
- American Bee Journal
- Journal of Apicultural Research
- Journal of Melittology
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Bees - Facts About Bees - Types of Bees - PestWorldforKids.org". pestworldforkids.org. Retrieved 2016-04-26.