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Bees

Books about beekeeping are not included.

The books are arranged by publication date with the most recent at the top.

For books that are specifically about bumblebees see:

Bumblebees

For books about British wasps see:

Wasps

For a series of atlases covering the bees, wasps and ants of Britain see:

Provisional Atlas of the Aculeate Hymenoptera of Britain and Ireland

Solitary Bees

Ted Benton

Naturalists' Handbooks Volume: 33

Pelagic Publishing

2017

"Solitary bees provides an introduction to the natural history, ecology and conservation of solitary bees, together with an easy-to-use key to genera. Chapters cover: Diversity and recognition; Bee lives; Cuckoos in the nest; Bees and flowers; The conservation of solitary bees; Approaches to practical work; Keys to the genera of bees of the British Isles - Females and Males; and References and further reading."

The Bees of Norfolk

Nick Owens

2017

"This book is the first to cover all of Norfolk's 197 bee species, including bumblebees, honeybees and solitary bees. Each species has its own page with images and distribution maps with notes on flight period, habitat, flowers visited, nesting and parasites. It includes up-to-date information on bees which have been lost and new bees coming in to the county. Accompanying chapters cover Norfolk's bee recorders, the state of Norfolk's bee populations, Norfolk bee habitats and their historical origins, conservation, nesting and life cycle, parasites and predators, bees and flowers, identifying bees, photographing bees and attracting bees to your garden."

Evolution and Phylogeny of Bees: Review and Cladistic Analysis in Light of Morphological Evidence (Hymenoptera, Apoidea)

John D. Plant, Hannes F. Paulus

Schweizerbart Science Publishers

2016

"Part One: A Preamble to the Evolution and Phylogeny of Bees provides a complete and critical review of all previous attempts to reconstruct the phylogenetic tree of bees (Anthophila / Apiformes) based on morphological, bionomic and molecular approaches and presented in chronological sequence up to and including recent publications. At the same time, the introductory part examines trends in the classification of bees and compares available hypotheses of bee evolution. Part One closes with a family-wise delineation of the fossil history of bees. Part Two: A Phylogenetic Study of Bees in Light of Morphological Evidence adds an experimental study to complement the bibliographical analysis provided in Part One. The phylogenetic relationships of the larger taxonomic units of bees are tested anew using an extensive dataset of selected morphological features. The study uses all common and current computer-aided techniques of cladistic analysis (parsimony, successive/implied weight, Bayesian and neighbor-joining), which are applied to representatives of all seven families, 22 subfamilies and 48 of 58 tribes of bees. The conclusions drawn from this are evaluated for the major groups (i.e., short-tongued and long-tongued bees), and separately for the families, subfamilies and tribes in each case."

The Book of Bees

Piotr Socha

Thames & Hudson

2016

Originally published in Poland.

"How do bees communicate? How long have they been around? What does a beekeeper actually do? Who survived being stung by 2,443 bees? This encyclopaedic book, originally published in Polish as Pszczoly, answers all these questions and many more, imparting masses of information with a light, humorous touch, and in scores of vibrant illustrations. Piotr Socha tracks the history of bees from the age of the dinosaurs to their current plight, examining along the way the role bees have played in history and in the rest of the natural world."

The Dancing Bees: Karl Von Frisch and the Discovery of the Honeybee Language

Tania Munz

2016

"The Dancing Bees draws on previously unexplored archival sources in order to reveal von Frisch's full story, including how the Nazi government in 1940 determined that he was one-quarter Jewish, revoked his teaching privileges, and sought to prevent him from working altogether until circumstances intervened. In the 1940s, bee populations throughout Europe were facing the devastating effects of a plague (just as they are today), and because the bees were essential to the pollination of crops, von Frisch's research was deemed critical to maintaining the food supply of a nation at war. The bees, as von Frisch put it years later, saved his life. Munz not only explores von Frisch's complicated career in the Third Reich, she looks closely at the legacy of his work and the later debates about the significance of the bee language and the science of animal communication. This first in-depth biography of von Frisch paints a complex and nuanced portrait of a scientist at work under Nazi rule. The Dancing Bees will be welcomed by anyone seeking to better understand not only this chapter of the history of science but also the peculiar waggles of our garden visitors."

Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland

Steven Falk

Illustrations: Richard Lewington

British Wildlife Publishing

2015

"Bees 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 eagerly anticipated new addition to the highly acclaimed British Wildlife Field Guides series will unravel the complexities of identification, and is designed to cater for people new to the bee world as well as to more experienced recorders who wish to identify every species accurately. It provides the latest information on the identification, ecology, status and distribution of all 275 species of bee in Britain, Ireland and the Channel Islands."

The Cuckoo Bees of the Genus Stelis Panzer, 1806 in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East: A Review and Identification Guide

Mark Kasperek

Max Kasperek Verlag

2015

"…provides for the first time a comprehensive guide to the Stelis species of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East and summarises our knowledge on all species, and gives for the first time a comprehensive identification key in the English language. The species chapters are richly illustrated with 155 colour micro photographs and altogether with 246 line drawings mostly showing morphological details useful for identification. The book also contains for all species information on flowers visited, seasonal occurrence and colour distribution maps."

The Bee: A Natural History

Noah Wilson-Rich

2014

"Earth is home to more than 20,000 bee species, from fluorescent-colored orchid bees and sweat bees to flower-nesting squash bees and leaf-cutter bees. This book takes an incomparable look at this astounding diversity, blending an engaging narrative with practical, hands-on discussions of such topics as beekeeping and bee health. It explores our relationship with the bee over evolutionary time, delving into how it came to be, where it stands today, and what the future holds for humanity and bees alike. The book: provides an accessible, illustrated look at the human-bee relationship over time; features a section on beekeeping and handy go-to guides to the identification, prevention, and treatment of honey bee diseases; covers bee evolution, ecology, genetics, and physiology; includes a directory of notable bee species; and presents a holistic approach to bee health, including organic and integrated pest management techniques."

In Praise of Bees: A Cabinet of Curiosities

Elizabeth Birchall

2014

"This comprehensive book, In Praise of Bees: A Cabinet of Curiosities explores the bee's place in human society from prehistoric cave paintings and inscribed clay tablets, through to our contemporary world - a cabinet whose drawers are filled with nuggets of bee science and practical beekeeping, myth, religion, politics, philosophy, and folklore, plus a selection of verse and a rich variety of illustrations ranging from Old Masters and scientific etchings to modern photographs. Elizabeth Birchall provides the reader with an in-depth look at bees' complex society and their present plight, the ongoing political and scientific to and fro regarding pesticides and other threats, all in the context of the bee's importance as plant pollinator in agriculture and the wild."

A Provisional Atlas of the Bees, Wasps and Ants of Shropshire

Nigel Jones, Ian Cheeseborough

2014

"Based on approximately 14,000 records, covering over 300 species, this is the first ever published atlas of the bees, wasps and ants in Shropshire."

The Wildlife Gardener: Creating a Haven for Birds, Bees and Butterflies

Kate Bradbury

2013

"The first half is all about creating wildlife habitats in your garden and is split into sections on shelter, food and water. Kate gives advice on what to grow, do's and don'ts of bird feeding and organic methods of pest control. Kate has also devised 10 step-by-step projects that will help encourage wildlife into your garden, such as creating a bumblebee nester, making green roof and building a bird box. These are all achievable in a weekend and suitable for even the smallest gardens. The second part of the book is a mini yet comprehensive field guide to identifying wildlife in your garden. From birds to insects, butterflies to pond-life, nocturnal wanderers to daytime gatherers, Kate provides helpful tips on particular species, telling you what to look out for and how you can create the perfect environment for them."

The Bee: A Natural History

Christopher O'Toole

2013

" Bees immerses readers in the world of a group of insects whose diversity of form and behavior is eloquent testimony to the fine-tuning of natural selection. Written by a world-leading entomologist and specialist in bees. …. Bees can be found throughout history in roles poetic and military, in medicine and agriculture, in the kitchen and in the kit of a traditional healer. They have played a bigger role in human existence than is often recognized. This beautifully illustrated, appreciative tribute will be welcomed by entomologists, students and all naturalist readers."

Hymenoptera and Conservation

Tim R. New

2012

"This global overview, the first such account for the whole of the Hymenoptera, discusses a broad range of themes to introduce the insects and their conservation roles and needs, and how their wellbeing may be approached. The book is intended as a source of information for research workers, students, conservation managers and naturalists as an introduction to the importance of this dominant insect order."

British Hymenoptera: Glossary for Use with Identification Keys

Robin Williams

7th edition

2012

"This includes terms used for body parts in keys going from 1896 to the present day (some of which are still in use), as well as the more obscure adjectives used in descriptions. Of use to anyone interested in the whole field of Hymenoptera."

Understanding Bee Anatomy: A Full Colour Guide

Ian Stell

2012

"Understanding Bee Anatomy aims to do two things, to explain the structure of this fascinating insect and, through stunning images, to reveal the intricate detail. Dr Stell has applied his knowledge of the human body in describing the honeybee, system by system. Understanding Bee Anatomy starts with a chapter on the developmental stages, showing the internal changes taking place from the egg, to the larva then the pupa. It includes chapters on all body parts, wings and flight structures, the circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems and finishes with chapters on the queen and the drone. The anatomy is explained in clear colour diagrams and illustrated with over six hundred high-quality photographs. These include electron micrographs, close-up images, high-power stained sections (histology) and other techniques."

Bee Conservation: Evidence for the Effects of Interventions

Lynn V. Dicks, David A. Showler and William J. Sutherland

Pelagic Publishing

2010

"This book brings together scientific evidence and experience relevant to the practical conservation of wild bees. The authors worked with an international group of bee experts and conservationists to develop a global list of interventions that could benefit wild bees. They range from protecting natural habitat to controlling disease in commercial bumblebee colonies. For each intervention, the book summarises studies captured by the Conservation Evidence project, where that intervention has been tested and its effects on bees quantified. The result is a thorough guide to what is known, or not known, about the effectiveness of bee conservation actions throughout the world."

Bees, Wasps, and Ants: The Indispensable Role of Hymenoptera in Gardens

Eric Grissell

2010

"Few insects are more important than bees, wasps, and ants. They maintain the garden's biological balance, fertilize vegetables, fruits, and flowers, and recycle nutrients within the soil. It's no exaggeration to say that a garden can't be understood without an understanding of its insects. "Bees, Wasps, and Ants" explores the importance of the Hymenoptera and explains how gardeners can encourage (or discourage) them in the garden. Part One includes a summary of their biology and a tour of what role they play in each part of the garden. Part Two takes a closer look at the individual groups within the order, including sawflies, horntails, woodwasps, parasitic wasps, predatory wasps, bees, and ants."

Bees, Wasps and Ants of Kent

Geoff Allen

2009

"Contains 440 distribution maps and 7 composite maps for the 448 species of aculeate Hymenoptera recorded from Kent plotted from a database of approximately 55,000 records. All families are covered apart from the Dryinidae, Embolemidae and Bethylidae (an additional 22 species) for which a brief resume is given. The book developed as a result of the author acting as the county referee for this group of insects and compiling the first proper electronic database for Kent's aculeate Hymenoptera."

Bees of Surrey

David W. Baldock

2008

"Surrey is probably the richest county in Britain for bees and this new book covers all 222 different species recorded to date illustrating nearly 100 of them in a series of superb colour photographs. In addition to information on the status and distribution of each species the book also contains chapters on the behaviour of bees, where to find them and how to identify them."

Guide to Bees of Britain

Field Studies Council (FSC)

2007

An 8 page fold-out, laminated guide that covers 28 species of bumblebees, mining bees, cavity-nesting bees and cuckoo bees.

The Bees of the World

Charles D. Michener

2nd edition

2007

"In this extensive update of his definitive reference, Charles D. Michener reveals a diverse fauna that numbers more than 17,000 species and ranges from the common honeybee to rare bees that feed on the pollen of a single type of plant. With many new facts, reclassifications, and revisions, the second edition of The Bees of the World provides the most comprehensive treatment of the 1,200 genera and subgenera of the Apiformes. Included are hundreds of updated citations to work published since the appearance of the first edition and a new set of plates of fossil bees."

Solitary Bees

2007

An 2 page laminated guide to British solitary bees.

Bee

Claire Preston

Reaktion Books

2006

"Claire Preston's "Bee" follows the natural and cultural history of our relationship with the bee and the development of these legends, from ancient political descriptions of the bee to Renaissance debates about monarchy, and the accompanying scientific discoveries about insects, to the modern conversion of the virtuous, civil bee into the dangerous swarm of the Hollywood horror flick, and finally to the melancholy recognition that the scientific study of bee behavior gives us a warning to beware our own awful technologies of destruction. Written in a lively, engaging style, and containing many fascinating bee facts, anecdotes, fables, and images, Bee is also a wide-ranging, highly-illustrated meditation on the natural and cultural history of this familiar and much-admired insect. It will appeal to a wide audience: those who work with bees and in honey production; those who appreciate this industrious creature and its intricate, miniature society; and, those too who have an interest in the way animals such as the bee have woven themselves into the fabric of our culture."

Cuckoo Bees

2004

An 2 page laminated guide to six species of British cuckoo bees.

Bees, Ants and Wasps: A Key to Genera of the British Aculeates

Pat Willmer

1985