The wonderful world of bees!

So what is a bee? Honey bees are often mistaken for other insects. Honey bees are often mistaken for other insects. Take a look at these flying insects that you might have seen and thought was a honey bee. Take a look at these flying insects that you might have seen and thought was a honey bee.

bumblebee Bumblebees are big hairy oval shaped bees that are yellow and black. They have pollen baskets on their legs to collect and carry pollen back to their hives. Bumblebees are big hairy oval shaped bees that are yellow and black. They have pollen baskets on their legs to collect and carry pollen back to their hives. They normally build small nests in dry grass or moss. They normally build small nests in dry grass or moss.

Leafcutter bees Leafcutter bees are grey and black and are a similar size to the honey bee. Leafcutter bees are grey and black and are a similar size to the honey bee. They make their small nests in leaves and hollow trees. They make their small nests in leaves and hollow trees.

hoverfly Hoverflies look like bees, but are a type of fly. They only have a single pair of wings. Hoverflies look like bees, but are a type of fly. They only have a single pair of wings. Hoverflies are yellow and black Hoverflies are yellow and black They cannot sting. They cannot sting. Hoverflies are excellent flyers and dart and dive all over the place. Hoverflies are excellent flyers and dart and dive all over the place.

Wasps Wasps are not bees. Wasps are not bees. They do not collect pollen, instead they eat other insects and spiders. They do not collect pollen, instead they eat other insects and spiders. Wasps make their nests in hollow trees, on the ground, or even in house roofs. Wasps make their nests in hollow trees, on the ground, or even in house roofs. Their nests are made of paper or wood. Their nests are made of paper or wood.

And finally…….. the honey bee! Honey bees are brownish orange and black. Honey bees are brownish orange and black. They have pollen baskets on their legs to collect and carry pollen from flowers back to their hives. They have pollen baskets on their legs to collect and carry pollen from flowers back to their hives. Honey bees live in large groups. Inside their hives are lots of hexagon shaped cells to make honey. Honey bees live in large groups. Inside their hives are lots of hexagon shaped cells to make honey. Honey bees very rarely sting for if they do they die straight after. Honey bees very rarely sting for if they do they die straight after.

Now some more facts about honey bees… Queen bees In a bee colony there is always a queen bee. She is the boss! In a bee colony there is always a queen bee. She is the boss! The queen is a bit bigger than the other bees. She does not have pollen baskets on her legs as her only job is to lay eggs. Can you see the queen bee in the middle of this photo? The queen is a bit bigger than the other bees. She does not have pollen baskets on her legs as her only job is to lay eggs. Can you see the queen bee in the middle of this photo?

The workers Worker bees clean the hives and fly out to collect nectar and pollen. Worker bees clean the hives and fly out to collect nectar and pollen. They have a long straw to suck up the nectar in flowers. They have a long straw to suck up the nectar in flowers. Worker bees fly in and out of the hive all day and then return for the night. Worker bees fly in and out of the hive all day and then return for the night. Have a look at the next photo and see if you can spot the proboscises (the straw) Have a look at the next photo and see if you can spot the proboscises (the straw)

Life cycles Honey bees have a similar life cycle to many other insects. Honey bees have a similar life cycle to many other insects. Stage 1 – egg Stage 2 – Larva (after 3 days the larva which is like a worm emerges from the egg. Stage 3 – Pupa – on day 10 the larva stops eating and spins a cocoon around itself Stage 4 – Inside the cocoon a pupa develops and begins to look like a bee. When it is fully grown it chews its way out.

Bee keeping People have kept bees for honey making for thousands of years. People have kept bees for honey making for thousands of years. Bee keepers have to wear protective clothing so the bees don’t sting them. Bee keepers have to wear protective clothing so the bees don’t sting them.

And finally some last amazing bee facts ………. Honey bees do a little dance when they have found flowers to tell the other bees where the flowers are. Honey bees do a little dance when they have found flowers to tell the other bees where the flowers are. Bees have 5 eyes, 6 legs and 4 wings. They do not have any ears, nose, mouth or hands. Bees have 5 eyes, 6 legs and 4 wings. They do not have any ears, nose, mouth or hands. Bees cannot see the colour red. Bees cannot see the colour red. Bees love anything that is very sweet. Bees love anything that is very sweet. Bees make honey from the nectar they collect from flowers. They make it back in their hive. Bees make honey from the nectar they collect from flowers. They make it back in their hive.