Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) departs blue wood aster (Aster cordifolius)

With wings that beat up to 230 times per second, a honey bee makes a swift departure from blue wood aster (Aster cordifolius). This insect is likely a western honey bee (Apis mellifera), originally native to Europe but now present throughout the world. The western honey bee is one of two honey bees that have been domesticated for honey production and pollination. Blue wood asters are native to eastern North America and can grow up to 6 ft tall under certain conditions. Blue wood asters are late blooming herbaceous plants that provide food for honeybees, bumble bees, and other wildlife that need to prepare for winter hibernation.