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Alford, D. V. (1975).
Bumblebees. Davis-Poynter Ltd.
This is a very comprehensive book full of
photographs and drawings of British bumblebees.
Benton, T. (2000). The
Bumblebees of Essex. Lopinga Books.
Although this book is about
bumblebees found in Essex, it is such a species rich county that the book can
be applied to most of the UK and northern Europe. It includes a chapter on
natural history, an identification key, individual species accounts and a lot
of clear and useful photographs, as well as very detailed information of where
to see bumblebees in Essex. This is a very useful book for anyone wanting to
know more, especially those living in the south-east of England.
Benton, T (2006). Bumblebees. Collins.
This book is one of the Collins New Naturalist series, and as with all books in this series it is excellent. With over 500 pages, a huge number of photographs, and a key to identify the British species, what more could you want?
Edwards, M. & Jenner,
M. (2005) Field Guide to the Bumblebees of great Britain & Ireland. Ocelli
Ltd.
This is one of the easiest books on the market for identifying
bumblebees. It is full of very good colour photographs to aid in
identification, and is small enough to slip into your pocket.
Goulson, D. (2003).
Bumblebees: Their behaviour and ecology. Oxford University Press.
An
excellent book covering just what one would expect from the title.
Heinrich, B. (1979 &
2004). Bumblebee Economics. Harvard University Press.
This book is
great for identifying the North American species, and superb for explaining the
energetics involved in keeping the colony going.
Intenthron, Manfred and
Gerrard, John. (1999). Making nests for bumble bees. International Bee Research
Association.
This is a small, inexpensive booklet available from
IBRA full of really simple ways of attracting bumblebees to
nest in your garden.
Kearns, C. A. and
Thompson, J. D. (2001). The natural history of bumblebees, a sourcebook for
investigations. University Press of Colorado.
This is an excellent
little book. I would recommend this book for anyone in the US or Canada instead
of the Prys-Jones book below. It has many photographs of native north American
bumblebees, it is really informative and easy to read and understand. There are
lots of ideas for projects and further research. And for those who just like
pottering about in the garden and countryside you'll learn a lot more about
what is going on between the bees and your flowers.
Macdonald, M, (2003).
Bumblebees. Scottish
Natural Heritage. A small book in the Naturally Scottish series with
wonderful photographs.
Matheson, Andrew (Ed.).
(1996). Bumble bees for pleasure and profit. International Bee Research
Association.
Another inexpensive booklet available from
IBRA.
Detailing all aspects of bumblebee life. This book would be especially useful
for teacher looking for ideas for simple projects that require little or no
equipment. My only complaint about this book is that it doesn't provide a
picture guide or key to the common species, so you still need to look in
Prys-Jones.
O'Toole, Christopher.
(2002). Bumblebees. Osmia Publications, Banbury, England.
A small book
on bumblebee natural history, how to attract them to the garden and provide
nests and nest sites.
Pinchen, Bryan J. (2006). A pocket Guide to the Bumblebees of Britain and Ireland. Forficula Books.
At just £5 this book is a bargain. With clear drawings and descriptions of all the British and Irish bumblebees. And it really is small enough to carry in your pocket.
Prys-Jones, O. E. and Corbet, S. A. (1987, 1991).
Bumblebees. Cambridge University Press.
This is a tiny, inexpensive
book, but it is so full of information and ideas that it is the book I
would recommend you to buy. Again the contents are about British bumblebees,
but are relevant to bumblebees anywhere. Fortunately or unfortunately it can
easily fit into the pocket, consequently you will carry it everywhere and use
it constantly throughout the summer. My first copy fell to bits long ago
through overuse, and I'm now on my second. This was the first book on bees I
ever read. There is now a new edition of this book.
Sladen, F. W. L. (1912,
1989). The humble-bee. Macmillian and Co. Ltd.
First published over
ninety years ago, reissued in 1989. This is one book where I would recommend
the later edition as it contains Sladen’s first publication written,
produced and bound and sold by him when he was only 16 but already an expert.
The book to buy as a present or to put on your wish list and use when your
Prys-Jones has fallen to bits. No-one can study or read about bumblebees
without coming across the name of F W L Sladen.
O'Toole, Christopher and
Raw, Anthony. (1999). Bees of the world. Blandford.
This is a newer
paperback edition of an earlier book. The title says it all. The photographs
are very good as are the drawings, and it is packed full of
information.
Zahradnik, J. (1991). A
Field Guide in Colour to Bees and Wasps. Blitz Editions.
This book
includes the ants and sawflies too, and covers Europe. There are over 280
illustrations, a mixture of photographs and drawings, all in colour. And at
only $7.99 this book is a bargain. There is a useful key to take you as far as
Order or Family and information on size and distribution.
Chinnery, M. (1993).
Collins Field Guide; Insects of Britain & Northern Europe.
This book
is one of the excellent Collins Field Guides. It is clearly laid out and so
well written with plenty of illustrations. It contains a huge amount of
information, but can easily be used by a complete novice to insects, as well as
the professional. In fact it is possibly the best book for a novice to start
off with.
Barth, F. G. (1991).
Insects and Flowers: The Biology of a partnership. Princeton University
Press.
This is a facinating book full of the most wonderful close-up
photographs that show you just how well certain insects are suited to pollinate
certain flowers. He explains things so simply and so well.
Pilkington, George.
(2002). Gardening for wildlife. Alfresco Books.
The title will tell you
that this is not a book about bumblebees, however if you follow the advice in
this book you will help bumblebees and many other animals. The book gives
practical explanations in a simple and clear way how to do things such as build
a pond, plant for bees, feed different bird species, and much more. It is
written for the Northern European species, but could be used anywhere in the
world.
Wilson, E.O. (1972). The
Insect Societies. Belknap Press.
This book covers all the social insect
families, it is a good read and useful for reference. Any good library should
have a copy.
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