Whether it was the taste of honey, the pain of a sting, or the sight of a swarm that first attracted man to bees is unknown. However, man has been associated with bees since recorded history. On a subject where there is a long history of popular literature and technical writing, it is important to agree on a precise definition of words and terms for a meaningful discussion. Beekeeping and Apiculture are often used synon­ymously. However, beekeeping refers to the husbandry of a specific species of insect, Apis mellifera; whereas Apiculture is more inclusive, referring to the science dealing with all insects belonging to the family Apidae. The words "bee," "honey bee," and "honeybee" are often used interchangeably. Most dictionaries spell "honey bee" as one word, as do some trade journals, but the Committee on Common Names of Insects of the Entomological Society of America ruled that when a two-part name is used it should be spelled as two separate words. Some examples are house fly, bumble bee, lady beetle, and of course honey bee. Colony and hive are sometimes confused by the non-professional. Colony refers to a group of bees, workers, drones, and a queen, existing as one organized unit. A hive is the home-equipment or structure housing the colony.

A brief summary of insect classification may help the non-entomologist understand the relationship of the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) to the multitude of other insects also including other bees and wasps.

Bees belong to the order Hymenoptera. This is a relatively large and diverse group, and entomologists in general consider it as probably the most beneficial of all orders. While there are some destructive members, the majority are parasitic on destructive insects, predaceous, or serve other useful purposes such as pollination and production of honey and wax. Adult Hymenoptera are recognized by their two pairs of thin membraneous wings, the second pair being smaller than the first. The rear wing is equipped with small hooks (hamuli). In flight this wing attaches to the first so both work as one unit. Hymenoptera undergo complete metamorphosis, and most females have an ovipositor which can be used as a stinger.

The binomial system of classification was developed by Linneaus in 1758. Each living organism was given a genus and species designation. Several genera with similar or related characteristics are grouped into families, families into orders, and orders into classes. These taxonomic groupings in general tend to show phylogenetic or evolutionary relation­ships. The honey bee belongs to the family Apidae, order Hymenoptera, class Insecta. Due to diversity and complexity of Hymenoptera, tax-onomists over the years found it useful to subdivide or group these commonly used designations into sub and super, e.g., subfamily and superfamily. Family names always end in idae, superfamily in oidae, and subfamily in inae. Genus and species names are latinized and in italics.

Taxonomists differ in their practice of grouping categories. Some tend to lump or group organisms rather liberally; others tend to split or divide them into smaller units. For this reason one reference may list 7 or 8 families within one order, while another may have 10 or 15 in that same order. For example, some authors list the bumble bee in the same family as the honey bee—Apidae, while others use a separate family name Bom-bidae.