a family of insects comprising the bees; examples are: honeybees; carpenter bees; bumblebees.

The Apidae are a large family of bees, comprising the common honey bees, stingless bees (which are also cultured for honey), carpenter bees, orchid bees, cuckoo bees, bumblebees, and various other less well-known groups. Honey bees, stingless bees, and bumblebees are colonial (eusocial), though they are sometimes believed to have each developed this independently, and show notable differences in such things as communication between workers. Carpenter bees are solitary, though they tend to be gregarious.