Myth has it that bees are the only creatures that arrived here unchanged from paradise! They certainly have a long history. Fossil records suggest that bees have existed largely unchanged for at least 100 million years - back when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth.
The story of their evolution is so intertwined with that of plants, that many flowers have specially adapted structures to lure bees and secure their favours for successful pollination.
This intimate relationship is vital for our survival, since insect pollinated plants make up approximately one third of the human diet.
Without their services many of our food plants would simply cease to exist.
More importantly however, bee pollination is vital to the healthy function of our entire ecosystem.
Albert Einstein is attributed to have said that if bees disappear from the Earth, mankind will have just 4 years remaining before he disappears too.
If you'd like to find out more about bees and beekeeping, see our Links page.
