They fly at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour, flapping their two sets of wings up to 15,000 times per minute. Covering a radius of 3 to 4 miles, and visiting up to 5,000 flowers per day, these tiny creatures are responsible for pollinating up to one third of the world’s fruits and vegetables. Many have a lifespan of about six weeks, but in that time, they might travel the equivalent of around the world and then some. They manufacture all their own building materials, and they live together in colonies of up to 50,000 or more, dividing up chores without argument. They all ultimately pay service to the queen, who mates only once in her lifetime but can lay approximately 2,000 eggs a day. If you haven’t guessed it yet, these amazing creatures are scientifically identified as Apis mellifera, more commonly known as honey bees, and their …