For Anyone Interested in the Wildlife of the U.K.
Honeybees
Scientific name: Apis mellifera
Size: Up to 15mm
Distribution: Found throughout the U.K.
Months seen: March to October
Life Span: Approximately 9 to 12 months
Habitat: Meadows, parks, gardens, orchards and farmland.
Food: Nectar and pollen
Special features: Honeybees are social bees, living in colonies which can number up to 50,000 individuals. Wild colonies will sometimes build their nests in buildings, but more usually in hollow trees. These wild bees are no more dangerous than those kept in domestic hives.
When a colony gets too crowded a new queen is produced, and when she leaves the colony many bees leave with her in a swarm to establish a new nest site.
Unlike wasp colonies, which die off in late autumn, part of the honey bee colony can survive through the winter by feeding on stored honey. The queen can live up to five years, while the majority of the workers live for just a few weeks.
Locally produced honey is thought to help with the symptoms of hayfever. The pollen in the honey helps the body to build up an immunity, but it needs to be taken all year round.
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