A brief look at a complex and intriguing topic, this book takes a look at bees from a variety of perspectives, from the physiology of individual bees of different species to analysis of their complex behaviors and social interactions. Written by an eminent entomologist and apiculturist.

chapter1 Bees in the Animal Kingdom and in Earth's History 1 chapter2 The BeeAn Insect chapter3 What Does Social Mean in the Animal Kingdom? 25 Anonymous Societies 26 Family Associations 28 The Insect Colony 30 Social Classifications 34 chapter4 The Traits of Bees and Their System chapter5 Solitary Bees and Social Development 45 Solitary Bees 45 On the Way to a Colony Unique Mating Behavior 75 Threats from Outside, and Enemies Within the Ranks 77 chapter6 Bumblebees and Stingless Bees Bumblebees Stingless Bees 97 84 83 63 35 15 chapter7 On the Summit of Social Insect Life 7 The Genus Apis: Species and Races The Domestic Honeybee The Comb The Colony and Its Individuals Brood Rearing and Division of Labor What Holds a Colony Together 8 How New Colonies Originate Sensory Capabilities 2 Artists of Orientation The Language of Honeybees 8 chapter8 Nest Aids for Wild Bees 145 Abridged Bibliography and Further Reading 1 Index 155 15 13 136 13 130 12 126 122 118 118 108 10 Preface People generally think of bees as insects that fly out of hives and make us honey. Actually, there are many different kinds of bees, most of which live relatively hidden from our view. Maybe some of us are familiar with bumblebees, but who would recognize the solitary bees, which considerably o- number the social bees? These little-observed bees are often dubbed wild bees to distinguish them from our honeymakers.

From the reviews:

"The authors Karl Weiss and Carlos H. Vergara give a startling view into the surprisingly complex and highly organized world of bees. The book describes not only the evolution of our honeybee, but also of dozens of types of wild bees. It sheds light on bee society, with its amazing rituals related to work, reproduction, defense of the hive, and, most amazingly, communication, and it even provides helpful advice for those interested in helping bees nest." (Science in Africa, November, 2002)

"This book introduces bees in a nontechnical style understandable to general readers. This reviewer found it enjoyable and learned many interesting facts. Recommended to anyone who wants to learn more about bees ." (R. C. Graves, Choice, February, 2003)

"This charming introduction, written for a general audience, is primarily devoted to describing the various kinds of bees, their history and role in the ecosystem, and their private and social lives. Entomologists Weiss and Vergara are engagingly enthusiastic about their topic. Presented in a charming small format ." (SciTech Book News, December, 2002)

"Great things to do, indeed, sometimes come in small packages, and The Little Book of Bees provides the proof. Packed into a tightly written book of 150 small pages is a goldmine of information about bees. At all times, the book is intelligently written, easily read by the layman while also offering serious bits of science to those who want to know more. Any reader can learn a lot from this book." (Epinions.com, January, 2003)

"A beautifully presented book. It provides a thoughtful, precise and readable text that will be appreciated by anyone wanting to lean more about the many different kinds of bees, of which the best known honeybees and bumblebees are but a tiny minority. Illustrated with excellent line drawings." (Beekeeping & Development, Issue 66, March, 2003)

"I opened thebook with some trepidation, but found that I had entered a treasure trove of information about species of bees, both known and entirely unknown to me and I rapidly became absorbed in its content! The social development of many of the solitary bees is effectively described, together with their unique mating behaviour, whilst defence strategies are carefully considered for the location and materials used in the building of brood nests against threats posed . This is an excellent 'little book'." (Beekeeping, February, 2003)

"Weiss is a great admirer of the sophisticated structures built by bees and tries to share his enthusiasm with a broader audience in this dainty, unassuming book co-written with Carlos Vergara. He charts the development of their social systems from the various primitive groups of solitary bees, through the beginnings of cooperative systems in the stingless and bumble bees to the pinnacle of achievement in the honey bee Apis mellifera, whose colonies may contain up to 80,000 individuals." (New Scientist, November, 2002)

Klappentext

chapter1 Bees in the Animal Kingdom and in Earth s History 1 chapter2 The Bee An Insect chapter3 What Does Social Mean in the Animal Kingdom? 25 Anonymous Societies 26 Family Associations 28 The Insect Colony 30 Social Classifications 34 chapter4 The Traits of Bees and Their System chapter5 Solitary Bees and Social Development 45 Solitary Bees 45 On the Way to a Colony Unique Mating Behavior 75 Threats from Outside, and Enemies Within the Ranks 77 chapter6 Bumblebees and Stingless Bees Bumblebees Stingless Bees 97 84 83 63 35 15 chapter7 On the Summit of Social Insect Life 7 The Genus Apis: Species and Races The Domestic Honeybee The Comb The Colony and Its Individuals Brood Rearing and Division of Labor What Holds a Colony Together 8 How New Colonies Originate Sensory Capabilities 2 Artists of Orientation The Language of Honeybees 8 chapter8 Nest Aids for Wild Bees 145 Abridged Bibliography and Further Reading 1 Index 155 15 13 136 13 130 12 126 122 118 118 108 10 Preface People generally think of bees as insects that fly out of hives and make us honey. Actually, there are many different kinds of bees, most of which live relatively hidden from our view. Maybe some of us are familiar with bumblebees, but who would recognize the solitary bees, which considerably o- number the social bees? These little-observed bees are often dubbed wild bees to distinguish them from our honeymakers.

Inhalt
Bees in the Animal Kingdom and in Earth's History.- The BeeAn Insect.- What Does Social Mean in the Animal Kindgom?.- The Traits of Bees and Their System.- Solitary Bees and Social Development.- Bumblebees and Stingless Bees.- On the Summit of Social Insect Life.- Nest Aids for Wild Bees.