When did honey bees arrive in the Americas?

Prior to the arrival of the Old World settlers, honey bees were unknown to Native Americans. In fact,  Thomas Jefferson,  briefly discussed bees in his Notes on the State of Virginia: "The honey-bee is not a native of our continent.

The Indians concur with us in the tradition that it was brought from Europe; but, when, and by whom, we know not. The bees have generally extended themselves into the country, a little in advance of the white settlers. The Indians therefore call them the white man's fly."