Bees

Bees at a glance

Need to know

• There are over 20,000 species of bees worldwide, from tiny solitary species to highly social ones.
• Honey bees are vital pollinators for a third of global food crops.
• Bumblebees vibrate their bodies to harvest pollen—a process called 'buzz pollination.'
• The Western Honey Bee can recognize human faces using pattern recognition.
• Some bees, like orchid bees, pollinate only specific plant species and are crucial for their survival.
• Bee populations are declining globally due to habitat loss, pesticides, disease, and climate change.

About the Bees

Bees are an incredibly diverse group of flying insects belonging to the superfamily Apoidea, order Hymenoptera. They are found on every continent except Antarctica and play a pivotal role in global ecosystems as pollinators, supporting both natural plant communities and food production by humans. Bees' adaptations vary widely, from the highly social and hive-forming honey bees and bumblebees, to thousands of solitary and often overlooked species. Their evolutionary success is tightly linked to their ability to collect nectar and pollen, which they use for nourishment and for raising young.

Bees are instantly recognizable by their furry, pollen-carrying bodies and distinctive buzzing flight. Some, like stingless bees, lack the ability to sting, while others, such as the Africanized honey bee, are known for aggressive defense of their hives. Bee diversity makes them resilient as a group, but habitat loss, intensive farming, pesticide use, disease, and climate change are causing global declines in many bee populations—posing a threat to biodiversity and agricultural productivity worldwide.

Physical characteristics

Size: 2 mm to 4 cm long (most between 1 and 2 cm). Weight: 0.1–1 g (most species < 0.3 g). Lifespan: A few weeks to 5 years (queen honey bees live longest).

• Hairy bodies for pollen transport
• Two pairs of membranous wings
• Antennae with sensory structures
• Compound eyes
• Distinctive buzzing sound produced by rapid wing beats

Notable species

• Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) — Not Evaluated (domesticated); wild populations vary locally (some Near Threatened). Forests, meadows, agricultural areas, urban areas Regions: Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa, Australia, Middle East, New Zealand.
• Eastern Honey Bee (Apis cerana) — Least Concern. Forests, rural and agricultural areas, mountainous regions Regions: East Asia, Southeast Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Himalayan foothills, Far East Russia.
• Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) — Least Concern. Grasslands, gardens, agricultural land, woodlands Regions: Western Europe, Central Europe, Mediterranean region, Canary Islands, New Zealand, Tasmania.
• Orchard Mason Bee (Osmia lignaria) — Not Evaluated. Deciduous forests edges, suburban gardens, orchards Regions: Western North America, Eastern North America, Pacific Northwest, California.
• Africanized Honey Bee (Apis mellifera scutellata hybrid) — Not Evaluated. Tropical and subtropical lowland habitats, urban areas, agricultural zones Regions: Central America, South America, Southern United States, Caribbean Islands.
• Stingless Bee (Tetragonula carbonaria) (Tetragonula carbonaria) — Not Evaluated. Tropical and subtropical forests, urban parks, woodlands Regions: Eastern Australia, Northern Australia, Queensland, New South Wales.

Habitat and range

Original range: Believed to have originated in tropical regions of Southeast Asia and Africa, diversifying across the globe.

Current distribution: Now found on every continent except Antarctica; multiple species inhabit nearly every terrestrial environment with flowering plants.

Preferred environments: Flower-rich grasslands, Forests (temperate and tropical), Savannas, Shrublands, Gardens and croplands, Urban green spaces

Regions: North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Mediterranean, Middle East

Where to see Bees

• Kew Gardens, London, UK — April to September. Wide variety of wild bee species can be seen among flowering plants.
• Monarch Grove Sanctuary, California, USA — Spring to early summer. Look for orchard mason bees and native bumblebees in blooming gardens.
• Daintree Rainforest, Queensland, Australia — August to November. Great for observing native stingless bee species in tropical forests.
• Meadowlands, Bavaria, Germany — May to August. Many wild bees visit open wildflower meadows.

Behavior and diet

Diet: Primarily nectar (sugar source) and pollen (protein source) from flowers; some species may also consume honeydew or plant resins.

Social structure: Varies by species: honey bees and bumblebees are eusocial (living in colonies with division of labor and castes), while most bees are solitary.

Communication: Bees use chemical pheromones, vibration, and, in honey bees, the waggle dance to communicate the location of food sources and threats.

• Honey bees perform a waggle dance to inform hive members of food locations.
• Bumblebees use 'buzz pollination' by vibrating their bodies to dislodge pollen.
• Carpenter bees excavate tunnels in wood to lay eggs.
• Orchid bees collect fragrances from flowers for mating displays.

Interactions with other animals

• Flowering plants (Symbiotic): Bees pollinate flowers while feeding, enabling plant reproduction and producing fruit or seeds.
• Varroa mite (Parasitic): Varroa mites infest bee hives, feeding on bee larvae and adults, spreading disease and weakening colonies.
• Birds (bee-eaters, swallows) (Predator): Some birds specialize in catching and eating bees.
• Wasps (Competitive): Certain wasps compete with bees for nectar or may invade bee nests for food.

Conservation

IUCN Red List status: Multiple species threatened; many at risk; overall trend is 'declining' but not formally assessed collectively by IUCN

Threats

• Habitat loss and fragmentation
• Pesticide and insecticide exposure (especially neonicotinoids)
• Parasites and diseases (notably Varroa mites and viruses)
• Climate change disrupting flowering times
• Monocultures and lack of floral diversity

Conservation efforts

• Pollinator-friendly farming practices
• Legal protection of wild bees and their habitats
• Ban or restriction of certain harmful pesticides
• Public education campaigns about pollinator importance
• Habitat restoration and wildflower planting

How to help

• Plant a variety of native flowers and avoid using pesticides in gardens
• Support organic and bee-friendly agricultural practices
• Protect and restore wildflower meadows and hedgerows
• Join or support citizen science bee monitoring projects
• Advocate for pollinator conservation legislation

Bees facts for kids

Bees are small, buzzing insects that help plants grow by moving pollen from flower to flower. They make honey, live in hives or in the wild, and are important for our food and wildflowers. Bees come in many shapes and colors and some can even recognize faces!

• Bees have five eyes—two big and three tiny ones!
• Not all bees live in hives—many live alone in tiny holes.
• Some bees are green or blue, not just black and yellow.
• Bees beat their wings super fast to make their buzzing sound.
• A queen bee can lay up to 2,000 eggs a day!

Did you know? Did you know that without bees, we wouldn’t have delicious foods like apples, blueberries, chocolate, and more?

Watch & learn

• Inside the Hive: The Secret Life of Bees — BBC Earth. This documentary explores the complex social structure and fascinating behaviors inside a bee colony, with stunning close-up footage and expert narration.
• Nature's Little Helpers: The Critical Role of Bees — PBS Nature. A feature-length episode demonstrating the vital part bees play in pollination and ecosystem health, highlighting their challenges and adaptations.
• The Extraordinary Minds of Bees — Smithsonian Channel. This documentary reveals the intelligence and problem-solving abilities of bees, showcasing experiments and wild footage that demonstrate their advanced cognition.
• Wild Bees: Beyond the Honey Bee — National Geographic. National Geographic Wild examines the diversity of wild bees around the world, focusing on native bee species and their unique ecological contributions.
• Urban Hives: Bees in the City — BBC Earth Lab. Discover how bees are adapting to city environments, with experts from BBC Earth Lab investigating urban beekeeping and pollinator-friendly initiatives.