Books on Bees - which one to get?

[tigger]

Hi.

I've got a birthday in December and with Christmas as well I'm already being asked what I want as a present.

Since getting into bees I've really fancied a good reference book on bees (worldwide or just UK) - not just bumbles or social bees... but everything. Does such a book exist? It doesn't have to be just an ID book, I'm really looking for something that tells me all sorts of things - nesting behaviour, flowers they like, loads of great photos, etc etc.

I've already got Bees of Surrey (which is excellent) but I'd be really interested to hear what your favourite bee books are.

Cheers

Jane

[oxycera]

As far as I know there is no comprehensive book on British bees. George Else has had such a book in the pipeline for at least 20 years but Eucera will doubtless know more about that. Apart from Saunders 'Aculeate Hymenoptera' which is well nigh unobtainable, I've always enjoyed Sladen's book 'The Humble Bee'.

[eucera]

I am (along with Mike Edwards) editing George's magnum opus and we are making good progress at bringing this huge project to an end (at LAST!).

The Introductory book by Chris O'Toole and Anthony Raw entitled "Bees of the World" is very good for showing what bees are all about. Please do not be put off by the picture of the FLY on the cover. This was selected by an airhead of an editor without reference to the authors!

[oxycera]

Originally Posted by eucera

Please do not be put off by the picture of the FLY on the cover.

I once noticed that in a bookshop, I couldn't believe it.

[pliers]

I have a guide, Field Guide to the Bumblebees of Great Britain and Ireland by Mike Edwards and Martin Jenner. Bought it at Cley reserve visitor center last year.

Cost just under £10, and i have found it to be a good guide.

regards brian.

[Geoff F]

I read somewhere that the Edwards and Jenner book has been updated but I don't know if it is available yet.

I bought the previous edition and it is a good read about bumblebee habits as well as identification.

A good reference work for identification of the many other members of the bee family would certainly be welcomed.

[Beekeeper]

Jane, if you can get a copy, i would really recommend the beekeeping book by JG Digges which i loaned out to a friend somtime ago and never had returned and for that reason i cannot remember just what the title is.

This book although old is an invaluable reference on the life of the honey bee, hives equipment and just about everything else. JG Digges was an Irish Reverend and the way the book is written is a real joy to read, poetic and the way he describes the life of the honey bee just has to be read, he had a way with words that i don't think can be beaten.

I use this book every year for something and really wish it would be returned to me. It is the turn of the century publication but is still invaluable being that beekeeping does not really change much.

Update
I have just looked up on the net and am fairly certain the book is called The Practical Bee Guide - A Manual Of Modern Beekeeping, the site which still has it listed is here--
http://www.flipkart.com/j-g-digges/

Another book you may be interested in is called Beekeeping at Buckfast Abbey by Brother Adam, very technical reference on the way the bees at Buckfast are kept, heavy going but interesting in places.

Ian

[eucera]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

I read somewhere that the Edwards and Jenner book has been updated but I don't know if it is available yet.

I bought the previous edition and it is a good read about bumblebee habits as well as identification.

A good reference work for identification of the many other members of the bee family would certainly be welcomed.

The new edition is now OUT and selling well (in fact, very fast indeed). There are much better maps, some new pics and a complete spread on Bombus subterraneus (which is the subject of a re-introduction programme). The cost is £12.50 I believe, and available online from the usual places or via Ocelli publishing (Martin's publishing house)

[Dutchess]

I received my Field Guide to the Bumblebees of Great Britain and Ireland by Mike Edwards and Martin Jenner (updated, Sept 2009 edition) last month. £10.79 from Amazon.co.uk.

hth

D.

[Geoff F]

Received the new Pemberley Books Entomology Catalogue today and they list the Edwards & Jenner new book at £11.99. Not sure how that compares with other outlets.

I would suggest that this catalogue, or their web site, might be worth a browse as there are a lot of interesting books there.