You may read a lot in the news about animal cruelty and how climate and deforestation are affecting species across the globe.
It’s no secret that bees are hugely important for the eco-system, and in the UK alone we have 270 species of bee ranging from the common Honeybee to the rare and elusive Shrill Carder Bee. So, because it’s World Bee Day on 20th May, we thought we would create a bit of a buzz with some fun facts about the most recognisable of all our UK bees: The Bumblebee…
🐝 Worker Bumblebees don’t buzz about for long: the average life span is just four weeks.
🐝 Only the Queen Bee survives at the end of Bee Season (spring until autumn). The rest of the colony dies and the Queen hibernates underground for winter before creating a new colony the following year. She’s a very busy bee!
🐝 Their wings beat crazy fast: around 130 – 200 times per second!
🐝 Bumblebees are a peaceful kind of bee. They will only sting if they feel threatened.
🐝 Unlike Honeybees, Bumblebees do not die if they sting you.
🐝 Male Bumblebees don’t have a stinger at all. The stinging is all up to the females.
🐝 Bumblebees shiver to keep warm.
🐝 Bumblebees have five eyes.
🐝 They are most excellent pollinators as they are able to fly in cooler temperatures and at lower light levels than other types of bee.
Head over to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust to find out even more about this humble but oh-so-important little critter, and do come down to Hopefield to spot some. As well as being one of the best places in Essex to see animals, we’re also pretty chocker when it comes to spotting bees too! Happy World Bee Day, everyone!
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