Buff-tailed bumblebee Bombus terrestris by Greg Hitchcock
It's official, the nation have voted for the buff-tailed bumblebee as their favourite insect, and what a great choice we think!
More than 7,500 people from across the UK voted in the ballot organised by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB). The buff-tailed bumblebee secured a massive 40.5% of the vote, with the seven spot ladybird in second place with 15%, and the emperor dragonfly a close third with 14.5%.
We are delighted here at Creature Candy as this is the species featured on our bumblebee products. It's great to hear the nation loves this charismatic creature, but why do we love it so much? Perhaps it's because this species is one of the first we will encounter in our gardens at the beginning of summer, and so gives us a sure sign that summer is upon us. Or perhaps it's the way they busily bounce from flower to flower, gently humming away in their own little bumblebee world.
Whatever it is, we must not forget that although this is a fairly common species of bumblebee, we should not underestimate the importance of these pollinators in our towns and countryside, and we should all try to create wildflower areas in our gardens for them for as much of the year as possible. Many crops and native wildflowers depend on bumblebees for pollination. They are important contributors to our economy and without them we would be in trouble.
Plantlife provide lots of information on their website about creating wildflower gardens, so if you are unsure how to go about this then do take a look at their website for some great tips.
Finally, we will leave you with the words presented on all our Creature Candy bumblebee products:
"The charismatic buff-tailed bumblebee Bombus terrestris playfully dances from flower to flower collecting pollen and nectar to store in the nest. This diligent insect unknowingly pollinates our crops and wildflowers as she busily works to serve the queen bee and her offspring."
