This book takes us from Agapostemon to Zacosmia although that may not be the most helpful introduction from me as it suggests that this book is perhaps dull and worthy whereas it is fun and interesting.
I enjoyed reading about the links of Danuncia Urban (bee taxonomist) and Charles Michener (another bee taxonomist) with bees but also those of Napoleon Bonaparte (emperor). Learn about haplodiploidy which influences how related are bees to each other (female bees share more genes with their sisters than their own offspring) and therefore the level of kin selection that exists with all sorts of implications.
How long do bees live? What about mead, the bees’ knees and vulture bees? For me, this book had just the right mix of new information, things to think about and simple fun. It could make melittologists of us all.
The cover? Yes, it does its job very well. I give it 9/10.
Beepedia: a brief compendium of bee curiosities by Laurence Packer is published by Princeton University Press.
Buy this book direct from Blackwell’s – a proper bookshop (and I’ll get a little bit of money from them).
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