Delving into the fascinating world of bees, this treasury offers a comprehensive exploration of their biology, behavior, and ecological significance. It covers diverse topics from pollination and beekeeping to unique bee species like cuckoo and carrion-eating bees. Readers will uncover the cultural impact of bees in agriculture, art, and history, guided by expert insights and captivating illustrations. The book also reveals intriguing anecdotes, such as Napoleon's choice of the bee as an emblem, making it a delightful resource for bee enthusiasts and curious minds alike.
A beautifully illustrated introduction to the incredible variety of bees from around the worldWhen many people think of bees, they are likely to picture the western domesticated honey bee, insects that live in large, socially complex societies inside a hive with a single queen and thousands of workers. But this familiar bee is just one of more than 20,000 species of bees--and almost none of the others is anything like it. In Bees of the World, Laurence Packer, one of the world's foremost experts on wild bees, celebrates the amazing diversity of bees--from size and appearance to nests and social organization.Providing clear, accurate accounts of the seven bee families, Bees of the World presents all the key information on generic characteristics, habits, and habitat, illustrated with incredible and often rare photographs that show bees in their natural habitats--foraging, nesting, raising their young, and more. The book reveals the secrets of these extraordinary insects as well as their importance in the global ecosystem and the ways humans can help protect them.Provides a richly illustrated exploration of bees from around the worldExamines more than 100 genera of bees, giving a taste of the remarkable breadth of bee appearance and biologyExplores bee anatomy, behavior, classification, evolution, life cycle, and habitats
