The 6 Most Popular Types of Bees and Why They Are Important In the Ecosystem

Bees are a very popular type of insect, beloved for their fluffy coats and gentle natures. Something that many people are unaware of however is quite how important bees are to the environment and to our ecosystem. Many experts argue that bees are some of the most important animals on the entire planet because they pollinate a variety of different plants.

If you are interested in bees and want to learn more about them, then we’ve got you covered. Here are six of the world’s most popular kinds of bees, and why they are so important to our ecosystem:

Bumblebees

Bumblebees are one of the United Kingdom’s most popular sorts of bees. They are also one of the nation’s most common types of bees, found almost everywhere. The reason that they are seen everywhere is that they are one of the nation’s hardest-working pollinators. Bumblebees forage a broad range of plants, pollinating nearly everything. This is why they are so important. Bumblebees nest underground, primarily in the nests of rodents. They are a very gentle variety of bees, seldom responsible for stinging or injuring people. Bumblebees are very important bees, which is why they should be treated with reverence. Many people treat them without any respect, killing them as if they were pests or vermin, which they couldn’t be any further from.

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees are a variety of bees native to Southern Europe, although they have also been found in the United Kingdom. It is important to stress here, this list’s bee species will not be exclusive to the United Kingdom. Some of the bees found here cannot be found there. Carpenter bees are known for burrowing into people’s porches and decks. As with bumblebees, they are very good pollinators and pollinate crops and flowers. 

Unlike other insects that burrow, carpenter bees do not cause damage to the wood that they nest in, leaving it more or less intact. Carpenter bees are very large compared to other sorts of bees and enjoy hot temperatures.

Sweat Bees

Sweat bees are a variety of bees that, like the other two listed here, are great pollinators. Unlike the other two varieties of bees mentioned so far, sweat bees are very small, and because of this, are hard to spot unless you have a keen eye. They are very gentle and are best recognised for their dark brown, blackish colouration. They can also be found in a bluish-green colour. These bees do not live in colonies and instead live alone. They have received the name “sweat bees” because they like to lick salt from sweaty skin. If one does land on you and start feeding on your sweat, don’t swat it or hurt it – they aren’t aggressive and won’t sting you.

Mason Bees

Mason bees are a variety of bee that builds their nests out of mud and pebbles but will use holes that already exist instead of excavating their own. This type of bee quite often nests in artificial nest boxes, making them a favourite among gardeners with hidden cameras. Mason bees are very effective pollinators. 

In fact, a few hundred mason bees can pollinate more plants than thousands of honey bees. Like sweat bees, they are a very small type of bee, so can be hard to spot unless you are intentionally looking for them.

Polyester Bees

Polyester bees produce a natural polymer from abdominal glands, which is why they have received the name “polyester bees.” They are also ground-burrowing bees, and nest in large aggregations. Despite nesting among other bees, they are solitary. Polyester bees produce polyester bags for each of their eggs. Inside these bags, food is stored. The reason that polyester bees are important for the world’s ecosystem is, like the other bees listed here, because they pollinate plants. If there weren’t bees around to pollinate plants, there’s a lot of evidence to suggest that mankind would go extinct.

Squash Bees

Finally, we arrive at squash bees. Gardeners that grow squash, gourds, or pumpkins will be all too familiar with these bees because they pollinate them and help the plants to fruit. These bees can be found any time after sunrise and will disappear before the afternoon. These bees also nest underground, but only in areas that are well-drained. Adult squash boys have a very short life span, of just a few months. If you enjoy pumpkins, then you have them to thank.

Bees are some of the world’s most important insects. Some would argue that they are the most important insect. It’s likely that after reading this, you have a new appreciation for bees. Make sure to be gentle and delicate with them, and avoid hurting or injuring them.