Beekeeping, also known by its technical name apiculture, is the practice of maintaining colonies of honey bees, typically in human-built hives. A beekeeper is the person who tends those colonies, while an apiary is the location where the hives are kept. Together, these terms describe both a craft and a small agricultural pursuit that has existed for thousands of years and continues to attract hobbyists and professionals alike.
The species at the heart of modern beekeeping is Apis mellifera, the European honey bee. Within this species, several subspecies and hybrids are commonly kept, each with distinct traits. Italian bees are popular with beginners for their gentleness and prolific brood production, though they can be prone to robbing neighboring colonies. Carniolan bees are valued for rapid spring buildup and tolerance of cold climates, while Russian bees are noted for varroa resistance at the cost of somewhat heightened defensiveness. Buckfast bees are a balanced hybrid developed by Brother Adam, and Africanized bees, hybrids of African and European stock, are highly productive but markedly more defensive.
Honey bees are not the only managed pollinators. Bumblebees form smaller colonies and are excellent pollinators of certain crops, while mason bees and leafcutter bees are solitary native species that thrive in backyard settings. North America alone hosts over 700 native bee species, many of which are in decline. Recognizing the difference between honey bees and native bees is essential: honey bees are hairy and feed their young on pollen and nectar, whereas wasps are slimmer, often carnivorous, and frequently aggressive. Conservation of native bees is a growing concern alongside honey bee husbandry.