Tennessee State Agricultural Insect

The honeybee (Apis mellifera) was designated as the official state agricultural insect in 1990. The honey bee is a social, honey producing insect and plays an important part in the local Tennessee economy as it not only produces honey and beeswax but also pollinates crops, trees, and grasses. Folks also have been known to use the local honey for many medicinal purposes including taking it daily to help ward off seasonal allergies.