The gut microbiota plays various important roles in the health of the host. Bees are highly socialized insects. The gut microbiotas of bees are distinctly different from most insects. They are composed of facultative anaerobic and micro-aerobic bacteria. They maintain a highly conservative and specific core microbiome. Recent studies show that gut microbiota of bees plays vital roles in metabolism, immune function, growth and development, and protection from pathogens. Gut microbiota plays an important role in bee health and disease. The destruction of gut microbiota will have adverse effects on bee health. In this paper, we review the characteristics and advances in research of colonization of microbiota in the honeybee. We address the effects of age, colony and season on the gut microbiota of honeybee, and the effects of host function and metabolism on the gut microbiota.