Melittology (from
Greekμέλιττα, melitta, "bee"; and -λογία-logia) is a branch of
entomology concerning the scientific study of
bees. It may also be called apiology or apicology. Melittology covers the species found in the
cladeAnthophila within the superfamily
Apoidea, comprising more than 20,000 species,[1] including
bumblebees and
honey bees.
Subdivisions
Apiology – (from
Latinapis, "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
Melittologists 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.