[{"id":243162775745,"handle":"bumblebees","updated_at":"2025-02-13T12:47:10+00:00","published_at":"2021-01-28T09:54:18+00:00","sort_order":"manual","template_suffix":"","published_scope":"web","title":"Bumblebees","body_html":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIf you look closely at flowering plants in your garden chances are, you'll spot at least one species of bumblebee. The large, hairy bees are usually black with varying degrees of yellow banding. They are social insects that live in colonies of up to 200 workers. We have pollinators, such as the bumblebee, to thank for around every third mouthful of what we eat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe continuing decline in bumblebee numbers across the globe is partially linked to changes in the way we farm and use pesticides. It is now more important than ever to do your bit to help. You can do this by growing different flowers and shrubs that are full of nectar and pollen. As a result, they'll have abundant feeding grounds throughout the year. You can also help bumblebees by providing them somewhere to nest. In spring, queen bumblebees will be searching for nest sites. They'll be attracted to gardens where they can find plenty of food and safe places to nest low on the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWildlife World cares passionately about bumblebees. We've carefully designed a range of habitats and unique flower mixes to encourage bumblebees into your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","image":{"created_at":"2021-02-15T11:51:19+00:00","alt":null,"width":900,"height":934,"src":"\/\/wildlifeworldtrade.co.uk\/cdn\/shop\/collections\/bumblebees_900x_5ce02b94-fce2-4e43-92f3-4a2b1dc744a3.jpg?v=1613389879"}},{"id":243184697537,"handle":"field-guides","updated_at":"2025-01-30T07:05:07+00:00","published_at":"2021-01-28T10:58:01+00:00","sort_order":"manual","template_suffix":"","published_scope":"web","title":"Field Guides","body_html":""},{"id":243162841281,"handle":"honey-bees","updated_at":"2025-02-12T10:30:27+00:00","published_at":"2021-01-28T09:54:38+00:00","sort_order":"manual","template_suffix":"","published_scope":"web","title":"Honey Bees","body_html":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWe have been enjoying the honey made thanks to our honey bees' hard work for thousands of years! Although not as distinctive as a bumblebee, they are easily recognisable little black and gold bees. That, in the wild, live in large hives made of wax honeycombs. Hives can contain up to 50,000 bees. The queen lays eggs whilst the workers and drones care for the young and collect pollen and nectar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMost Honeybees are now in managed hives. And are likely still responsible for pollinating 5-15% of the UK's insect-pollinated crops. Honey bees and other pollinators are vital for the survival of wild plants that support much of our wildlife, not just the food crops they pollinated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eYou'll see honey bees in your garden from spring until late autumn, collecting pollen and nectar from a variety of flowers and blossoms. We can all do our bit to help out these tireless honey bees by planting an abundance of pollen and nectar-rich flowers in your garden, borders or planter pots. Another way to help is to let part of your garden grow wild, allowing wildflowers to grow and make great feeding sites. Wildlife World also have a range of hives and accessories for anyone keen to become a beekeeper and produce their honey!\u003c\/p\u003e","image":{"created_at":"2021-02-15T12:04:00+00:00","alt":null,"width":900,"height":934,"src":"\/\/wildlifeworldtrade.co.uk\/cdn\/shop\/collections\/honey_bee_900x_c367c1a3-3189-4522-aaa6-6a88ecce3fa1.jpg?v=1613390640"}},{"id":243162874049,"handle":"solitary-bees","updated_at":"2025-02-21T14:00:46+00:00","published_at":"2021-01-28T09:55:00+00:00","sort_order":"manual","template_suffix":"","published_scope":"web","title":"Solitary Bees","body_html":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAlthough not as familiar as honey bees or bumblebees, solitary bees are gentle bees that are amazingly effective pollinator. In the U.K just under 250 of the 270 species of bee are solitary bees. As the name suggests, they tend not to live in colonies. Instead, they lay their larvae in tubes, tunnels or nesting chambers. Sealing them in with enough food to last until they are ready to emerge through the seal of mud and chewed leaves as adult pollinators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eNatural habitats, for solitary bees to build nests, become harder to find in modern gardens. The addition of a solitary bee house or hotel can attract bees to your garden to nest and return year after year. The ideal site to place your solitary bee house is well above the ground in a warm, south-facing position, ideally, near plenty of nectar-rich flowers, plants and tree. To attract solitary bees into your garden, you should include flowering plants to provide nectar and pollen. Our selected range of native wildflower species is ideal for pollinating bees in our Plants for Wildlife category.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWildlife World has been studying the solitary bee for 15 years. As a result, we have many tried and tested solitary bee habitats for you to choose from. As well as the essentials to enable you to build your bee hotels.\u003c\/p\u003e","image":{"created_at":"2021-02-15T12:00:36+00:00","alt":null,"width":900,"height":934,"src":"\/\/wildlifeworldtrade.co.uk\/cdn\/shop\/collections\/solitary_bees_900x_2727bfad-3ca6-41a5-bb08-89947459072f.jpg?v=1613390436"}}]
Produced in conjunction with the invertebrate conservation charity Bug life, this much-requested new 8-page chart shows 28 species of bee. Most of which can be commonly found flying in domestic gardens.
The ‘Big Six’ bumblebees' chart includes representatives of mining bees, cavity-nesting bees and cuckoo bees. Silhouettes next to each image show the typical life size for each species. Text on the reverse side includes a table, full cross-referencing of the images, which gives further information on flight periods, distribution of each species in Britain, and useful pointers to help distinguish between similar-looking species.
This chart is part of the FSC’s range of fold-out charts, designed to help users identify a wide range of plants and animals. Clear colour illustrations and text by experts in the subject make these valuable resources for all age groups. Each chart is laminated to make it shower-proof and robust for use outdoors. The definitive guide helps identify some of the UK's main species of social and solitary bees.
