What to look for: This iconic bee has a golden thorax with a black abdomen that sometimes is lapped by amber bands. Its real legs appear hairless and shiny.
Favourite plants: Salvia, galanthus nivalis, echinacea, cosmos, verbena, and other bedding flowers and wildflowers
Making a nest: Social bees that colonise holes called hives
When active: Spring to autumn
Where seen: Across the UK
Honeybees
The UK is home to just one species of honey bee. This iconic insect has a slender golden thorax with a black abdomen that’s sometimes lapped by amber bands. Its rear legs appear hairless and shiny. These highly social bees live in colonies of up to 20,000 individuals.
Honeybees are widespread across the UK and can often be seen feeding on the nectar of flowers they can reach with their short tongues. Salvia species, galanthus nivalis, verbena, willow, echinacea, cosmos, rudbeckia laciniate, and raspberry flowers are some of their most popular haunts.