Utahans selected the beehive as their official state emblem because honeybees represent the virtues of industry and perseverance.
A drawing of a beehive appears on its state flag and state seal, as well as on its state highway signs.
The early Mormon settlers wanted the Utah Territory to be called “Deseret,” which means “honeybee” in the Book of Mormon.
Utah also chose the honeybee as its official state insect.
It is not alone, 15 other states also selected the honeybee as their state insect:
Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
