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Bumblebees

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

For books about all British bees (some of which include sections about bumblebees) see:

Bees

For books about British wasps see:

Wasps

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

Provisional Atlas of the Aculeate Hymenoptera of Britain and Ireland

RSPB Spotlight: Bumblebees

Richard Comont

2017

"RSPB Spotlight: Bumblebees considers all 24 UK bumblebee species, examining what made the group so successful and how circumstances have led to the survival of some species but the precipitous decline of the majority, highlighting the dangers we all face if populations continue to plummet. Separate chapters cover all aspects of bumblebees' biology and lifestyles, from spring queens emerging from dark overwintering chambers to establish their nests, to the drone swarms that herald the end of the bumblebee season. Bumblebees around the world are studied, including in the southern hemisphere where Europe's declining species can become harmful invaders. While the influence of bumblebees throughout our history and their place in our culture, from Shakespeare to Transformers, is also examined."

Climatic Risk and Distribution Atlas of European Bumblebees

Pierre Rasmont, Markus Franzén, et al

Pensoft Publishers

2015

"Bumblebees represent one of the most important groups of pollinators. In addition to their ecological and economic relevance, they are also a highly charismatic group which can help to increase the interest of people in realizing, enjoying and conserving natural systems. However, like most animals, bumblebees are sensitive to climate. In Climatic Risk and Distribution Atlas of European Bumblebees, maps depicting potential risks of climate change for bumblebees are shown together with informative summary statistics, ecological background information and a picture of each European species."

The Bumblebees Of Kent

Nikki Gammans and Geoff Allen

2014

"The Bumblebees of Kent aims to provide a comprehensive guide to bumblebee ecology and offers an inclusive introduction to their identification. It discusses the importance of bumblebees, their decline and how we can help. It also includes detailed descriptions of bumblebee ecology and anatomy, followed by identification of each species present in Kent including a map of their distribution."

Recognising Common British Bumblebees

Laura Smith

2013

An e-guide available via www.bumblebee.org or from amazon.

A Sting in the Tale

Dave Goulson

2013

"One of the UK's most respected conservationists and the founder of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Goulson combines Gerald Durrell-esque tales of a child's growing passion for nature with a deep insight into the crucial importance of the bumblebee. He details the minutiae of life in their nests, sharing fascinating research into the effects intensive farming has had on our bee populations and on the potential dangers if we are to continue down this path."

British Bumblebees, With Emphasis On The Old County Of Somerset

Robin Williams

2012

"ritish Bumblebees contains descriptions and drawings showing all species and their variations, nesting habits, sizes, abundance and where they are likely to be found. Comprehensive and simple to use, it is another attempt to help people with the tricky points of identification of this difficult family."

Bumblebees

Oliver E. Prys-Jones and Sarah A. Corbet

Pelagic Publishing

2011

"An indispensable guide to identification, ecology and study of bumblebees. This new edition embraces the wealth of information published on bumblebee life history, ecology, foraging, parasites and conservation in recent years. It includes a new chapter on the very real threats to bumblebees; their crucial role as pollinators of our native flora and crops; ways to promote their survival; advantages and problems posed by their commercial use; as well as updated colour plates, keys and distribution maps of all British species (including Bombus hypnorum). The book introduces techniques and approaches to original work so that anyone with an interest can usefully contribute to furthering our understanding and appreciation of these wonderful and important insects."

Field Guide to the Bumblebees of Great Britain and Ireland

Mike Edwards and Martin Jenner

Revised edition

2009

A photographic guide that includes photographs of both sexes of the 22 species recorded in recent years in Great Britain and Ireland. Also includes distribution maps, a quick ID chart and background information that includes sections on conservation and gardening for bumblebees.

Bumblebees: Behaviour, Ecology, and Conservation

Dave Goulson

2nd edition

2009

"Bumblebees are familiar and charismatic insects, occurring throughout much of the world. They are increasingly being used as a model organism for studying a wide range of ecological and behavioural concepts, such as social organization, optimal foraging theories, host-parasite interactions, and pollination. Recently they have become a focus for conservationists due to mounting evidence of range contractions and catastrophic extinctions with some species disappearing from entire continents (e.g. in North America). Only by improving our understanding of their ecology can we devise sensible plans to conserve them. The role of bumblebees as invasive species (e.g. Bombus terrestris in Japan) has also become topical with the growing trade in commercial bumblebee nests for tomato pollination leading to establishment of non-native bumblebees in a number of countries. Since the publication of the first edition of the book, there have been hundreds of research papers published on bumblebees. There is clearly a continuing need for an affordable, well-illustrated, and appealing text that makes accessible all of the major advances in understanding of the behaviour and ecology of bumblebees that have been made in the last 30 years."

The Life Of The Bumblebee

D.V. Alford

2009

"The book is designed for the general reader telling the remarkable story of the life of the bumblebee. Nest building, the establishment and development of bumblebee colonies, brood rearing, foraging, courtship, winter survival, and the ravages of various natural enemies, are all described and to complete the picture, brief details are also given of each of the twenty five British bumblebee species."

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.

Bumblebees

Ted Benton

Collins

2006

"An entirely new addition to the increasingly popular New Naturalist series, and is written by an expert in the field. Ted Benton combines 15 years of his own field studies of the species with all the latest research and findings, to provide a detailed and comprehensive account of the lives of the 25 species of bumblebee found throughout the UK, which includes: acclaimed colour photographs of the sexes and castes of all species; detailed photographs of the bumblebee habitats; detailed key to help aid identification, and original anatomical line drawings; information on identification features, foraging behaviour and distribution; and latest findings on conservation status and habitat requirements."

A Pocket Guide to the Bumblebees of Britain and Ireland

Bryan J. Pinchen

2nd edition

2006

A 64 page identification guide.

Bumblebees

John Feltwell

2006

"Over 160 colour photographs of bumblebees in the wild and in the garden capture the essence of bumblebees, showing them in a wide variety of familiar flowers. This is a visually stunning book and an inspiration for gardeners and nature watchers alike. Bumblebees are illustrated and described in gardens, woods and coppices, with suggestions and ideas for encouraging their presence in our gardens. Conservation is a main theme, with Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species listed and the book also offers a European perspective on the bumblebee and notes their decline."

Highland Bumblebees: Distribution, Ecology and Conservation

Murdo Macdonald and Gill Nisbet

2006

"This book describes the current state of the 16 species of bumblebee found in the Highland region of Scotland. Covers all aspects of the biology and ecology of these valuable insects. The data collected over 16 years by the authors and members of the Highland Biological Recording Group will help inform conservation projects and land management, and provide a baseline against which to measure future changes in distribution."

Bumblebee Economics

Bernd Heinrich

2004

Originally published in 1979.

"In his new preface Bernd Heinrich ranges from Maine to Alaska and north to the Arctic as he summarizes findings from continuing investigations over the past twenty-five years - by him and others - into the wondrous 'energy economy' of bumblebees."

Bumblebee

Murdo Macdonald

2003

"Did you know that Bummiebee, Droner and Foggie-toddler are all Scottish names for the bumblebee? Find out what these names mean and why bumblebees are so special inside this beautifully illustrated booklet. Also discover how you can help the bumblebee by planting appropriate flowers for their continued survival."

Bumblebee

Christopher O'Toole

2002

"The natural history of these fascinating and useful insects, how to attract them to the garden and provide homes for them in artificial nests."

The Natural History of Bumblebees: A Sourcebook for Investigations

Carol A. Kearns and James D. Thomson

2002

"This book gives amateurs and professionals alike the basic knowledge to pursue the joys of observing and investigating these attractive and amenable subjects. Packed with information on bumblebee colonies, bee honeypots, bee development, foraging behaviour, as well as instructions for maintaining bumblebees in captivity, this lively and colourful book also includes an easy-to-use photographic field guide to aid in the identification of over fifty species of North American bumblebee. The book fills a gap in the literature and provides amateur enthusiasts, educators, and scholars the information to develop their own projects in bumblebee biology."

The Bumblebees of Essex

Ted Benton

2000

British Bumblebees, With Emphasis On The Old County Of Somerset

Robin Williams

6th edition

2000

"Covers all mainland species but tables have special emphasis on the County of Somerset. Contains descriptions and drawings showing all species and their variations, nesting habits, sizes, abundance and where they are likely to be found. Comprehensive and simple to use, it is another attempt to help people with the tricky points of identification of this difficult family. The problem is that they look easy to pick out, by the colour of the bands, but they are astonishingly variable, while many other features must be taken into account."

Bumblebees

Oliver E. Prys-Jones and Sarah A. Corbet

Cambridge University Press

1987

"Bumblebees are attractive and conspicuous insects and can often be identified without being caught. Their behaviour is readily observed and they form ideal subjects for field studies. This book introduces bumblebee natural history, emphasising topics that offer scope for further research. The keys, supported by illustrations in colour and black and white, are designed to enable the reader to name the British species easily and reliably. By including keys, techniques and references as well as ideas, the book aims to encourage and facilitate individual studies of bumblebee biology by students at schools and universities and others."

Bumblebees

D.V. Alford

1975

Bumblebees

John B. Free & Colin G. Butler

The New Naturalist 40

1959

The Humble-Bee: Its Life-History And How To Domesticate It

With Descriptions Of All The British Species Of Bombus And Psithyrus

F.W.L. Sladen

1912