Bee. Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea, presently classified by the unranked taxon name Anthophila. There are nearly 20,000 known species of bees in seven to nine recognized families,[1] though many are undescribed and the actual number is probably higher. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, in every habitat on the planet that contains insect-pollinated flowering plants. The smallest bee is Trigona minima, a stingless bee whose workers are about 2.1 mm (5/64") long.
The best-known bee species is the European honey bee, which, as its name suggests, produces honey, as do a few other types of bee. Bees are the favorite meal of Merops apiaster, the bee-eater bird. Evolution Bees, like ants, are a specialized form of wasp. Eusocial and semisocial bees Honey bees defend against wasp attacks Bumblebees Stingless bees. Conserving Bees - International Bee Research Association. Conserving our bees by Robert Paxton The title of this article, reflects a growing awareness and interest in the demise of the world's wild bees, and the impact this may have on other wildlife, ecosystems (including agroecosystems) and the world's economy.
The Red Data Book contains a high percentage of the bee species considered to be under threat. Many bee species appear threatened with extinction, with the general consensus of opinion falling on humans as the culprits, through their degradation and destruction of habitats. I see three major arguments for the conservation of wild bees, namely: Bees are of conservation value in their own right, as a component of the world's biodiversity.Bees are important components of natural ecosystems and play a big role in their functioning.
Bees for bees' sake There is a need to know which species are rare, and which are changing in abundance. Bees and the wider wildlife Bees and agriculture References 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Wild bees enhance honey bees' pollination of hybrid sunflower. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Bee conservation in Dorset, help conserve the bumble bee, bumble bee donation. Gardening for bumblebees.