beekeeper definition:

noun: /ˈbēˌkēpər/

An individual who does precision guess work based on unreliable data provided by those of questionable knowledge.

See also: Wizard, Magician

Cornell Dyce Lab for Honey Bee Studies

A VARROA MANAGEMENT DECISION TOOL

Why "Honey Bee" is Two Words

Regardless of dictionaries, we have in entomology a rule for insect common names that can be followed. It says: If the insect is what the name implies, write the two words separately; otherwise run them together. Thus we have such names as house fly, blow fly, and robber fly contrasted with dragonfly, caddicefly, and butterfly, because the latter are not flies, just as an aphislion is not a lion and a silverfish is not a fish. The honey bee is an insect and is preeminently a bee; “honeybee” is equivalent to “Johnsmith.”

—From Anatomy of the Honey Bee by Robert E. Snodgrass

Snodgrass, R. E. (1956). Anatomy of the honey bee. Cornell University Press.

Below is the scientific classification of the western honey bee as it now stands according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System:

* Kingdom: Animalia

* Subkingdom: Bilateria

* Infrakingdom: Prostomia

* Superphylum: Ecdysozoa

* Phylum: Arthropoda

* Subphylum: Hexapoda

* Class: Insecta

* Subclass: Pterygota

* Infraclass: Neoptera

* Superorder: Holometabola

* Order: Hymenoptera

* Suborder: Apocrita

* Infraorder: Aculeata

* Superfamily: Apoidea

* Family: Apidae

* Subfamily: Apinae

* Tribe: Apini

* Genus: Apis

* Subgenus: Apis

* Species: A. mellifera

In certain parts of the world, subspecies can be found. Examples include:

* A.m. carnica

* A.m. caucasia

* A.m. ligustica

* A.m. mellifera

* A.m. capensis

* A.m. scutellata