How well do you know your garden bees?

They are important pollinators and key to biodiversity and ecosystem health, so perhaps it’s time to observe the bees that visit your garden more closely 

Get to know your garden bees (Alamy/PA)

Can you tell your average buff-tailed bumblebee from its murderous cuckoo relative? Do you know which bees can sting and which can’t, or which are likely to live in a bee hotel or make their nests underground?

In the run-up to World Bee Day (on May 20), which aims to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators for food security, biodiversity, and ecosystem health, perhaps it’s time to observe the bees that visit your garden more closely and consider planting some of their favourite plants.