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To produce just 1 pound of white clover honey, bees undertake a significant number of foraging trips. Specifically, it takes:

17,330 foraging trips to gather enough nectar for 1 lb of honey.

In addition to the number of trips, the bees must visit a vast number of flowers to collect nectar. The statistics reveal that:

Bees visit approximately 8.7 million flowers to produce 1 lb of white clover honey.

The labor involved in producing honey is substantial. The total amount of time spent by bees in the process is measured in hours, which amounts to:

7,221 hours of bee labor are required to produce just 1 lb of white clover honey.

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BEES are the most important pollinator of CROPS and NATIVE PLANT SPECIES in Ireland. One third of all species are in

decline!

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Life with bees

In Ireland crops such as apples,

strawberries, raspberries,

tomatoes, plums, cherries,

carrots and onions are reliant

on bees for pollination;

...and without bees many of our native plant species would quickly go extinct because they wouldn't be able to produce seeds!

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Cabbage Cacao

Kale

Raspberry

Kola nut

Sapote

Squash

Sunflower

Cantaloupe

Leek

Cashew

Macadamia

Tangerine

Mango

Tea

Alfalfa

Carrot

Rychee

Apple

Cauliflower

Almond

Celery

Mustard

Artichoke

Cherry

Nutmeg

Asparagus

Onion

Watermelon

Blackberry

Dill

Passion fruit

Blueberry

Eggplant

Peach

Broccoli

Aubergine

Pear

Brussels

Fennel

Plum

sprouts

Garlic

Pumpkin

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Bumblebees and honeybees are

highly social insects ‘eusocial'. They live in colonies consisting of a queen,

many female workers and some males.

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This large furry white tailed bumble bee is searching for nectar.

You can see bumble bees like this one working hard from early morning until sunset.

These big bees are able to work when it is too cold for the smaller honeybees and solitary bees

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Bumble bee nests are often found in compost heaps or under garden sheds.

In this picture you can see the round waxy cups in which they store nectar and pollen and where the queen lays her eggs

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Other bees live alone instead of in a colony and are called solitary bees, though a few also live in rather simple societies.

Only 3% of the 20,000 bee species worldwide are social, colony forming bees.

There are 101 bee species in Ireland. Nineteen of these species are bumblebees, and more than half of these bumblebee species are in decline.

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Bees are experiencing significant declines due to habitat loss, pesticide exposure, climate change, and diseases. The destruction of natural habitats for agriculture and urbanization has reduced their food sources, while harmful pesticides like neonicotinoids threaten their health. To help, individuals can create pollinator-friendly gardens, reduce pesticide use, support local beekeepers, and advocate for policies that protect bee habitats. Raising awareness about the importance of bees can also encourage community efforts to create supportive environments for them.

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Bees are insects belonging to the order Hymenoptera and are known for their vital role in pollination. Biologically, they possess a segmented body divided into three main parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. The head houses crucial sensory organs, including large compound eyes and antennae, which are essential for navigating and foraging. The thorax is equipped with powerful legs and wings, allowing for agile flight and foraging capability.

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A queen bee is the central figure in a honeybee colony, primarily responsible for reproduction and the overall health of the hive. She is typically larger than the worker bees and can lay thousands of eggs each day, ensuring a continuous supply of new bees. The queen emits pheromones that help maintain social unity and regulate activities within the colony, influencing the behavior of worker bees. While the worker bees care for her, forage for food, and maintain the hive, the queen focuses solely on the hive