The Bee: A Natural History - Hardcover

Wilson-Rich, Noah

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0691161356 ISBN 13: 9780691161358

Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2014

Synopsis

Bees pollinate more than 130 fruit, vegetable, and seed crops that we rely on to survive. Bees are crucial to the reproduction and diversity of flowering plants, and the economic contributions of these irreplaceable insects measure in the tens of billions of dollars each year. Yet bees are dying at an alarming rate, threatening food supplies and ecosystems around the world. In this richly illustrated natural history of the bee, Noah Wilson-Rich and his team of bee experts provide a window into the vitally important role that bees play in the life of our planet.

Earth is home to more than 20,000 bee species, from fluorescent-colored orchid bees and sweat bees to flower-nesting squash bees and leaf-cutter bees. This book takes an incomparable look at this astounding diversity, blending an engaging narrative with practical, hands-on discussions of such topics as beekeeping and bee health. It explores our relationship with the bee over evolutionary time, delving into how it came to be, where it stands today, and what the future holds for humanity and bees alike.

• Provides an accessible, illustrated look at the human–bee relationship over time
• Features a section on beekeeping and handy go-to guides to the identification, prevention, and treatment of honey bee diseases
• Covers bee evolution, ecology, genetics, and physiology
• Includes a directory of notable bee species
• Presents a holistic approach to bee health, including organic and integrated pest management techniques
• Shows what you can do to help bee populations

About this title

About the Author:

Noah Wilson-Rich is founder and chief scientific officer of The Best Bees Company, a Boston-based beekeeping service and research organization. Kelly Allin was lab manager at the Best Bees Company's Urban Beekeeping Laboratory and Bee Sanctuary during the writing of this book. Norman Carreck is scientific director of the International Bee Research Association. Andrea Quigley is a freelance writer who contributes regularly to beekeeping journals.

Review:

"Honorable Mention for the 2015 National Outdoor Book Awards, Nature and the Environment, NOBA Foundation"

"The natural history of solitary, bumble, honey and stingless bees is as gripping as our lengthy alliance, as urban beekeeper Noah Wilson-Rich and contributors show in this charming compilation. They cover evolution, biology (including a unique proboscis made of two organs), behaviours (such as honey bee 'quacking'), the causes of catastrophic die-offs, and more."---Barbara Kiser, Nature

"Enjoy this lovely book. It might lead you into unknown depths of bee life where you never expected to go."---A.C., Wildlife Activist

"By contrasting the biologies and behaviours of some of the solitary bees, stingless bees, masons, carpenters and bumbles, the author presents an interesting and readable handbook on this insect icon and its wild relatives."---Richard Jones, BBC Wildlife

"While most people are familiar with the European honeybees that populate commercial hives, the rest of world of bees is probably less known. The Bee, A Natural History by Noah Wilson-Rich sets out to fill you in on the rest of the story. . . . If you'd like to get to know your neighborhood bees better, this book is a good place to start."---Tom Palmer, Lakeland Ledger

"This beautifully designed book has great photos and a very appealing look. Each section is very short and gives you a summary of one aspect of bees' lives." (Trumpeter)

"You don't have to be a scientist or even a beekeeper to understand the material or to grasp the importance of bees to our way of life. The author's passion for his subject is obvious without being weighty, the diagrams are on point, and the photographs are a joy. . . . The Bee: A Natural History illustrates the entire story in a quick but fascinating portrait. Be sure to put this one on your wish list."---Rusty Burlew, Honey Bee Suite

"An everyman's guide to all things bee. . . . The Bee: A Natural History by Noah Wilson-Rich is fascinating, fun, and beautiful, a book that is accessible enough for anyone with a general interest, but interesting enough for those with longstanding bee fever. The writing and layout are straightforward and understandable, and the many beautiful pictures should definitely make the book, broad as it is, appealing to a broad audience."---Mary Bowling, Englewood Review of Books

"A compendium of knowledge on the 20,000 or so bee species in the world and the state of humans' relationship with them throughout history. It's fertile soil for any bee inquiry you want to make."---Susan Clotfelter, Denver Post

"For the novice who has an interest in bees, this book presents a remarkable breadth of topics and provides an entry point to their fascinating biology."---Gard W. Otis, Great Lakes Entomologist

About this edition

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0691161356
• ISBN 13: 9780691161358
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224