Honey bees are not native to North America. They were originally imported from Europe in the 17th century. Honey bees now help pollinate many U.S. crops like fruits and nuts.

Are honey bees an invasive species?

Long story short – honey bees are not native, but they are not invasive. Perhaps a better term is – imported. They are important for the food/medicine crops they create (honey, beeswax, propolis) and for the plants they pollinate. Without honey bees, our food supply would be greatly reduced and limited.

Where is honey bees native to?

All extant species of honeybees are indigenous to Eurasia, although a fossil proves that at least one honeybee species (now extinct) lived in North America 14 million years ago. The honeybees we know and love in the United States (Apis mellifera) are an introduced species.