Discover things you may not know about bees

Through photos, we see the beauty of bees and their importance to the ecosystem .

Few insects (or even animals) have as large an impact on our planet as bees.

A species of bee belonging to the genus Euglossa, also known as orchid bee - (Photo: Pete Carr).

As pollinators that fly from flower to flower, from crop to crop, they keep the world's flora and biodiversity thriving.

Since the time of the dinosaurs, bees have lived on Earth, evolving over millions of years. Bees are vital to our survival , but changes in the environment, climate and other agents such as pesticides mean their existence is under threat, leaving them on the brink. extinction zone.

A new exhibition about these important creatures, Bees : Stories of Survival, offers a detailed and in-depth look at their world, from the complex anatomy of a bee. to the structure of the entire bee colony.  

With the collaboration of artist Wolfgang Buttress, using sound, sculpture and light, combining art and technology, the organizers want to show visitors the lives of bees around the world, shows what consequences losing them will lead to.

In the exhibit, you will see a bee of the genus Euglossa , also known as the orchid bee. This is an important pollinator for orchids in North and South America. Males use scents from chemicals they collect from pollination to woo females; the more complex the smell, the greater the attraction.

There is also an image of the purple carpenter bee (Xylocopa violacea) , recognizable by its purple-tinted wings and body, and one of the largest bees in Europe.

Purple worker bee (Xylocopa violacea) - (Photo: Pete Carr).

A bee of the genus Nomioides , one of the smallest bees in size and slender body, with colors ranging from black to yellow. They are widely distributed throughout the world and are often found in environments such as flower fields and gardens.

Bees of the genus Nomioides pollinate many types of plants and play an important role in natural ecosystems.

A bee of the genus Nomioides - (Photo: Pete Carr).

And there's also the African worker bee (Xylocopa inconstans) , which is a large native bee. They are known for their large size, which can reach about 2.5cm in length, and their loud buzzing sound. They build their nests by punching holes into woody materials such as tree trunks, dead wood, bamboo and other types of wood.

African worker bee (Xylocopa inconstans) - (Photo: Pete Carr).