
audiobook
WILD BEES, WASPS AND ANTS - And Other Stinging Insects
EDWARD SAUNDERS
PREFACE
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT
DESCRIPTION OF THE COLOURED PLATES
THE SUBJECT IN GENERAL
THE SOLITARY GROUPS
THE SOLITARY BEES
THE CUCKOO BEES
THE FOSSORS OR DIGGERS
Step into the bustling world of Britain’s wild bees, wasps, ants and their lesser‑known relatives, all presented in a clear, illustrated guide that invites anyone with a curiosity for nature. The author walks the reader through solitary hunters, hidden brood‑parasites and the bustling colonies of social insects, explaining how each species builds its nest, gathers food and interacts with the environment. Bright line drawings and a handful of colour plates bring the tiny structures of antennae, tongues and legs to life, making identification approachable even for beginners.
Beyond simple facts, the book reveals the surprising habits that set these creatures apart—wingless females of certain wasps, the slave‑making tactics of particular ants, and the intricate ways bees carry pollen on specialized hairs. Its conversational style encourages observers to pause in gardens, fields and sandy banks and watch the tiny dramas unfold, sparking a desire to learn more about the hidden lives buzzing right under our noses.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (148K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chris Curnow, Keith Edkins and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2010-10-18
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1848–1910
Best known for lively and practical books on bees, wasps, ants, and other insects, this English naturalist helped open up entomology to a wider reading public. He balanced a banking career with serious scientific work and became a Fellow of the Royal Society.
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