[Objectives]  To build a cDNA library to improve understanding of how honey bee workers respond to adverse conditions and analyze the quality of the resultant library. [Methods]  A cDNA library of Apis cerana cerana was constructed using the SMART technique. [Results]  The library’s capacity was 3.6×10⁶ cfu/mL, the recombination rate was 97% and the average length of inserts was approximately 1 000 bp. 306 ESTs were generated by ESTs sequencing. Additionally, 234 non-repetitive sequences were formed, including 207 singletons and 27 contigs after initial assembly. Using Blastx to query, compare and annotate these sequences with those in GenBank, revealed that 141 sequences could be assigned putative functions because they were homologous to known genes. Other sequences had no obvious homology, which suggests there is potential for the discovery of new functional genes. [Conclusion]  The construction of a cDNA library has important benefits for cloning, screening and gene function research in Apis cerana cerana.