Bees are fascinating winged insects closely related to wasps and ants. They play a crucial role in pollination, which is vital for the reproduction of many plants. There are over 20,000 known species of bees, ranging from the well-known honeybee to the tiny stingless bees12. Bees feed on nectar and pollen, with nectar providing energy and pollen supplying protein and other nutrients1. While some bees, like honeybees and bumblebees, live socially in colonies, the majority are solitary1. Bees are found on every continent except Antarctica, thriving in diverse habitats wherever insect-pollinated flowering plants exist1. Their ecological and commercial importance, especially in pollination, cannot be overstated2.
