Introduction

Eyes with more than 6,000 separate lenses; bodies so hairy that they attract pollen by static; the ability to communicate by dancing... bee stats are endlessly engrossing.

And the bee is as important to the production of human food as any machine; without the bees to pollinate them, most of our crops would be dead in the field.

The Significance of Bees

So how did this furry little workaholic come to be so crucial to the planet?

The Book: The Bee: A Natural History

Answers that question and many more, looking at bee development from 65 million years ago to today, when over 20,000 bee species have been identified and beekeeping is enjoying a surge in popularity.

Exploring evolution, anatomy, society, behaviour, and the human factor, and presenting a visual directory of 40 bee breeds alongside practical fact panels, this is the book that will become a buzz word for every keeper, student, or lover of bees.