Bee

Amegilla on long tube of Acanthus ilicifolius flower

Emerald Cockroach Wasp

Sceliphron spirifex TZ edit1

Ectemnius.lapidarius.-.lindsey

Bembix sp2

Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, known for their role in pollination and, in the case of the best-known bee species, the Western honey bee, for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea, presently considered as a clade Anthophila. There are nearly 20,000 known species of bees in seven recognized biological families. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, in every habitat on the planet that contains insect-pollinated flowering plants.

Characteristics

Bees are adapted for feeding on nectar and pollen, the former primarily as an energy source and the latter for protein and other nutrients. Most pollen is used as food for larvae. Bees have a long proboscis (a complex "tongue") that enables them to obtain the nectar from flowers. They have antennae composed of 13 segments in males and 12 in females, as is typical for the superfamily. Bees all have two pairs of wings, the hind pair being smaller than the front pair. They also have a segmented body that consists of the head, thorax, and abdomen.

Behavior

Bees are eusocial creatures, living in colonies that contain the queen bee, worker bees, and male bees (drones). The queen is the only sexually mature female in the hive and is responsible for laying eggs. Worker bees are females that do not reproduce but do work such as gathering nectar and pollen, feeding the larvae, and protecting the hive. Drones are male bees whose primary role is to be ready to fertilize a receptive queen.

1. 1. 1. Social Structure ###

The social structure of bees is highly complex and varies greatly among the different species. In honey bees, the structure is very hierarchical, while in bumblebees, it is more loosely organized. Some species of bees are solitary and do not have a social structure at all.

Pollination

Bees play a crucial role in the pollination of many flowering plants, including crops that humans rely on for food. They do this by transferring pollen from the male anthers of a flower to the female stigma. This process is essential for the fertilization of the plant, allowing it to produce fruit and seeds.

Threats

Bees face many threats from human activities, including habitat destruction, pesticides, and climate change. The use of pesticides, in particular, has been linked to the decline in bee populations. This decline poses a significant risk to the biodiversity of our planet and the security of our food supply, as many crops depend on bees for pollination.

Conservation

Efforts to conserve bee populations include the protection of natural habitats, the planting of bee-friendly plants, and the reduction of pesticide use. There are also many bee conservation organizations and initiatives aimed at protecting and preserving bee populations around the world.