31/05/2026
🐝 Did You Know? The UK Has Over 270 Species of Bees!
Most people only recognise honeybees and bumblebees, but the UK is actually home to more than 270 different bee species — each playing a vital role in keeping our wildflowers and crops thriving.
Here’s the breakdown:
🍯 Honeybee — 1 species
The familiar Western Honeybee that lives in large colonies.
🐝 Bumblebees — 24 species
Big, fuzzy and charismatic — including buff‑tailed, red‑tailed, tree bumblebee and more.
🌿 Solitary Bees — around 250 species
Tiny, specialised pollinators like mining bees, mason bees, leafcutters and yellow‑faced bees.
They don’t live in hives — each female makes her own nest.
🪰 Cuckoo Bees — about 30 species
These clever bees lay their eggs in other bees’ nests. A natural part of the ecosystem.
Why it matters
Even though we rarely see most of these species, they’re essential for pollinating the landscapes we love photographing. Every tiny bee plays its part.
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