In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

Preface Written by Carol A. Butler, the co-author of Do Butterflies Bite?, along with bee biologist Elizabeth Capaldi Evans, this book is the only guide to these popular insects to present information in an accessible and entertaining question-and-answer format. We touch everything from the role bees play in the ecosystem to their amazing variety, what life in the bee colony is like, and the crisis of their disappearance. We also provide useful information about how to observe bees safely and how to raise bees in your backyard. Photographs and illustrations add to the beauty and usefulness of the book. We have tried to put together a fascinating set of questions about bee behavior, bee lore, and beekeeping. Here are some of the surprising facts about bees you will discover in the book: • There are about 25,000 different species of bees around the world. • It is normal for a honey bee queen to lay from 1,500 to 2,000 eggs in one day. • Bees are the only insects for which artificial insemination techniques have been successfully developed. • Most honey bees only live for a few weeks. We hope you enjoy this book and use it in any way that suits you best. Look up an answer to a question that you have been curious about, browse through randomly, or just look at the R5192.indb xi R5192.indb xi 11/30/09 3:02:15 PM 11/30/09 3:02:15 PM illustrations for a start. There is a lot in this book, and we would not be surprised if you get hooked and find yourself reading it all the way through and, hopefully, sharing your new insights with friends and family. xii PREFACE R5192.indb xii R5192.indb xii 11/30/09 3:02:15 PM 11/30/09 3:02:15 PM ...

Share