Have you ever looked at a wildflower strip in one of our Living Labs and wondered exactly who is doing the hard work of pollination? While we often talk about "wild pollinators" as a broad group—including bumblebees, solitary bees, and hoverflies—the world of bees is incredibly diverse, with over 20,000 species globally!
To protect them, we first need to know them. That is why we are highlighting a vital resource from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): The Key to the Bee Families of the World.
Why Identification Matters for PolliConnect
In our mission to increase pollinator biodiversity by 20%, data is our strongest tool. Whether we are using AI-powered cameras or conducting Citizen Science surveys, being able to distinguish between different bee families helps us understand if our "Pollinator-Friendly Mowing" and habitat corridors are actually working.
Meet the Families
The FAO tool, developed in collaboration with York University, helps both specialists and enthusiasts break down the "Big Seven" bee families. Here’s why knowing your families helps conservation:
Apidae: This includes the famous bumblebees and honey bees, but also carpenter bees. They are versatile and hardy.
Andrenidae (Mining Bees): These are ground-nesters. If you see tiny holes in a sunny patch of soil near your meadow, you’ve likely found their home!
Megachilidae (Mason and Leafcutter Bees): These architects use mud or leaves to build nests. They are champion pollinators for fruit trees.
Halictidae (Sweat Bees): Often metallic and beautiful, these bees are essential for a wide variety of wildflowers.
How to Use the Key in the Field
The FAO key isn't just for scientists in a lab. It uses a "visual couplet" system—meaning it gives you two photos and asks, "Does your bee look like A or B?" 1. Observe: Watch a bee on a flower. Note its size, color, and how it carries pollen (on its legs or under its belly?). 2. Compare: Use the interactive keys to narrow down the family. 3. Record: For our PolliConnect stakeholders, recording these observations helps us build a map of habitat connectivity across North-West Europe.
From Identification to Action
Identification is the first step toward better management. When we know which families are present, we can adjust our Three-Strip Management or Sinus Mowing patterns to ensure we aren't disturbing specific nesting sites or removing the specific flowers those families depend on.
Join the Movement: The next time you walk past a #PolliConnect pilot site, take a moment to look closer. Use the FAO key, snap a photo, and help us turn "Living Labs" into thriving homes for every bee family.