Bees

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There have been some huge bees around recently. Most are queen bumblebees, waking from their solitary subterranean hibernation spots and looking for sustenance, and somewhere to nest. This might be underground, such as in a disused rodent burrow. Or above ground, in long grass or a nest box, for example. After finding a nest location, the queen will prepare a few pots which she fills with nectar and pollen, before laying her eggs on top.

queen bumblebee
Queen bumblebee in early spring

Bees have an important role in maintaining a healthy environment. There are over 20,000 known species of bee around the world. About 270 different species have been identified in the UK. Of these, one is the honeybee, there are about 25 different species of bumblebee, and the rest are solitary bees.

They are considered nature’s most effective pollinators. Other creatures, such as hoverflies, wasps, and bats, contribute to the process, but they only go to enough flowers to feed themselves. As bees collect enough for their nest, they visit many more plants as they gather supplies.

bee pollinator
Mining bee

They pollinate plants which we rely on for food, and also many trees and flowers which offer habitats for wildlife. Around 80% of flowering plants – including vegetables, fruits, and crops – depend on pollination for fertilisation. Estimates are that without bees, it would cost UK food producers £1.8 billion a year to pollinate crops.

Facts about bees:

The branch of entomology which specialises in the scientific study of bees is melittology (apiology is specifically the scientific study of honeybees).
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Bumblebees have smelly feet. They leave scent on plants which they have already stripped of pollen and nectar, telling other bees not to waste their time.
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Bumblebees are among the hardest working animals in nature. They are active from early until late, and owing to their size, they can carry large volumes of pollen from plant to plant.
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Not all bees sting, and in those that do, it’s only the females who have a sting. Many bees can sting multiple times. Honeybees only have one sting, a backward facing barb which the bee cannot remove if they sting something with quite a thick skin (such as a human). In this case, the act of stinging is fatal for the bee as most of its insides are pulled out and remain behind with the sting. Generally, bees are unlikely to sting people unless they, or their hive, are under threat.
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Bees have two stomachs – one for food, and one to carry nectar and water back to their hive/nest.
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Bees have five eyes – two larger compound eyes at either side of the head, and three ocilli between these.
Bee showing five eyes
Two compound eyes to either side, three ocelli between
Bees beat their wings at up to 230 times a second. This rapid beating creates the buzzing sound made when they fly.
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Bees are usually described as being long-tongued or short-tongued. This means that different types of bee can access nectar from different types of plants. They also use their tongues for communicating, and to help line their nests.
common carder bee
Common carder bee – one of the long-tongued species

Threats to bees include:

Bees are under threat on a variety of fronts, including:

  • Toxic pesticides, which are fatal when ingested;
  • Loss of habitat through change of land use, such as urban development, and intensive farming;
  • Climate change disrupting seasonal timetables, meaning bees’ cycle is out of synch with the flowers they rely on; and
  • Invasive species such as the Asian hornet.

Actions we can take to help include:

  • Planting bee friendly flowers (they are particularly drawn to purple, violet, and blue coloured flowers);
  • Leaving wild flowers to grow by mowing less often;
  • Providing nest sites, such as insect houses, to home solitary bees;
  • Avoiding using pesticides, and certainly not on open flowers; and
  • Leaving water out for pollinators.
Common carder bee
Mason bee

Some of my favourite websites for more information include: