K4B
kids
for
bees
Solitary Bees

PIC: ASHY MINING BEE
90% of bee species throughout the world are solitary bees.
We have 77 Solitary bees in Ireland.
They build individual nests for their young.
They don’t have a queen.
They don’t make honey.
Bumblebees

PIC: GARDEN BUMBLEBEE
The most recognisable of our native wild bees are the big furry Bumblebees.
We have 21 different Bumblebees in Ireland.
Nests can have hundreds of bees.
The queen runs the nest.
They don’t make honey.
Honey Bees

PIC: HONEY BEE
The honey bee is only 1 of our 99 species of bee in Ireland.
They are kept in hives.
A healthy hive can house up to 80,000 bees!
The queen can live for a number of years.
They make honey.
fun bee facts
BEE FACT
Bee brains are about the size of a sesame seed..
..but they are highly intelligent
can add/subtract and solve puzzles
and recognise faces.
BEE FACT
Only new queen bumblebees survive over winter..
Male bumblebees and female workers only live for a few weeks during the spring and summer.
BEE FACT
90% of bees are Solitary Bees..
They build individual nests, don't have a queen and don't make honey!
fun bee facts
BEE FACT
Bees have five eyes!
Yes five eyes..
Two large compound eyes on the side of their head and three simple eyes near the top of their head.
BEE FACT
There are 20,000 different species of bee in the world..
..but 8,000 of these species are threatened with extinction!
BEE FACT
When Bumblebees visit a flower they leave behind a smell..
that tells other bees that they have been there and the nectar is gone!
fun bee facts
BEE FACT
Bees are capable of flying higher than Mount Everest.
That's 29,000 feet above sea level!
BEE FACT
Bees collect nectar and pollen from flowers..
Nectar provides energy and nutrients.
Pollen is a source of protein mostly fed to the their young.
BEE FACT
Male Bumblebees can't sting..
They don't have a stinger!