Description
Book SynopsisBees are a fascinating and indispensable group of insects, but many species are in decline, and efforts to help determine distributions and changes in abundance have to date been compromised by a serious lack of identification resources. This book is from author Steven Falk, who is a professional naturalist and conservationist with over forty years' experience of working with bees. It is a comprehensive introduction to bee classification, ecology, field techniques and recording, a full glossary, and information on how to separate the sexes and distinguish bees from other insects. Also included are introductions to families and genera, describing key characters and life histories, as well as detailed species descriptions covering field and microscopic characters, similar species, variants, flight season, habitat, flowers visited, nesting habits, status & distribution, and parasites & associates. A series of innovative illustrated keys to genera and species are designed to guide the
Trade ReviewRichard Lewington’s delicate pictures are without equal, but with copious thumbnail diagrams, and close-up photos of body parts, this is also a detailed key work for the specialist wanting to learn more. -- Richard Jones * BBC Wildlife *
Bee identification just got a whole lot easier...with Richard Lewington's stunning artwork and Steven Falk's accessible text and identification keys * Bird Table magazine *
Comprehensive, well organised, easy to use, beautifully illustrated and packed with detail this is, quite simply, one of the best field guides I’ve had the pleasure of using. -- Calvin Jones * Ireland's Wildlife *
Table of ContentsPreface Introduction What is a bee? Classification of bees At-a-glance guide to bee genera Species, races, forms and variations The life cycle of bees Enemies and associates of bees Habitats of bees Field techniques for finding and recording bees Conserving bees Societies and recording groups Bees beyond Britain and Ireland
Further Reading How to Use this Guide Dichotomous keys Format of the species accounts The colour plates Male or female? Is it a bee? Bee anatomy
Glossary Author’s web feature
Key to Bee Genera Family
colletidae -
Colletes – Plasterer bees -
Hylaeus – Yellow-face bees
Family andrenidae -
Andrena – Mining bees -
Panurgus – Shaggy bees Family
halictidae -
Halictus – End-banded furrow bees -
Lasioglossum – Base-banded furrow bees -
Sphecodes – Blood bees -
Rophites – Bristle-headed bees -
Dufourea – Short-faced bees Family
melittidae -
Melitta – Blunthorn bees -
Macropis – Oil-collecting bees -
Dasypoda – Pantaloon bees Family
megachilidae -
Anthidium – Wool carders -
Stelis – Dark bees -
Heriades – Resin bees -
Chelostoma – Scissor bees -
Osmia – Mason bees -
Hoplitis – Lesser masons -
Megachile – Leafcutter and mud bees -
Coelioxys – Sharp-tail bees Family
apidae -
Nomada – Nomad bees -
Epeolus – Variegated cuckoo bees -
Eucera – Long-horned bees -
Anthophora – Flower bees -
Melecta – Mourning bees -
Ceratina – Small carpenter bees -
Xylocopa – Large carpenter bees -
Bombus – Bumblebees -
Apis – Honey bees
Colour Plates Checklist of the bees of Britain and Ireland Index Photographic credits
