The Official South Dakota State Insect

Honey Bee

Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) is the official state insect of South Dakota, adopted in 2000. This species of bee is an essential pollinator for many agricultural crops, providing valuable ecological services. Honey Bees have been kept by humans since ancient times for the honey they produce. It is also the only insect to produce food eaten by humans. Honey Bees are social insects and live in large colonies of up to 50,000 individuals. They are distinguished by their yellow and black stripes and can reach up to 3/4 of an inch in length. Honey Bees have a complex communication system that involves a combination of chemicals, odors, and body movements. They are seen as an important part of South Dakota agriculture and are the focus of many research and education initiatives. South Dakota's Honey Bee was chosen as the state insect to bring attention to its essential role in the agricultural economy and to promote the benefits of beekeeping.

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