FACTS
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In the UK, there are over 250 species of bee, but only one of them is a honey bee. (Woodland Trust)
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Honey bees have five eyes, which are very sensitive to ultraviolet light, making flowers seem very brightly coloured. (BBKA)
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97% of Britain's wildflower-rich meadows have been lost since World War II - this has made it more difficult for bees to find a varied source of flowers to collect pollen and nectar from. (BBC Earth)
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One of the best ways to help Britain's bees is to buy honey from a local beekeeper - not only is it delicious, but it helps them to continue caring for bees near you. (Friends of the Earth)
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Some of the main concerns for bee health is the use of pesticides, specifically neonicotinoids. These are often used to kill greenflies and other pests, however it can confuse bees and stop them from efficiently collecting pollen. (Friends of the Earth)
"Bees are vital - if they disappeared it would be detrimental to everyone."
- Arran Kemp
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Everyone has heard of the phrase 'the bees knees', but do they really have knees? Apparently not - they have leg joints like most insects, but do not actually have kneecaps. (BBKA)
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It is thought that there are nurse bees who administer antibiotic-rich honey to sick bees to help them fight off disease and continue working. (BBC Earth)
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Honey bees can communicate the distance and direction of a good source of pollen and nectar through a 'waggle dance', in which they wiggle across the honeycomb in a set of specific movements - scientists have studied these waggle dances, and have found that there are different dialects. (BBC Earth)
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Although people often dislike wasps and consider them pests, they actually contribute a great deal to the pollination of our flowers. There is even a peptide that can be extracted from the Brazilian wasp that could inhibit certain cancer cells. (The Guardian)
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Manuka honey, which is made by European honey bees, has been hailed for its antibacterial properties, and is made with pollen and nectar harvested purely from tea trees native to Australia and New Zealand.