An Overview of Melittology
What is Melittology?
Melittology is the study of bees in the family Apoidea. The family name is why it’s also known as apicology.
Why is it called Melittology?
Melittology gets its name from the Greek word μέλιττα (melitta) meaning "bee". Similarly, apicology gets its name from the Latin word for bee, apis.
Subdivisions
Apiology: The study of honey bees.
Classification of Bees
Kingdom: Animalia (Animals)
Phylum: Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum: Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class: Insecta (Insects)
Order: Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps, and Sawflies)
Suborder: Apocrita (Wasps, Bees, and Ants)
Superfamily: Apoidea (Sphecoid Wasps and Bees)
Clade: Antophilia
Bee Families
Andrenidae
Apidae
Colletidae
Halictidae
Megachilidae
Melittidae
Stenotritidae