O'Toole, C. 2002. Bumblebees. Banbury. Osmia Publications. ISBN 0 9539906 7 2.
Softback. 14x21cm. 42 pages.
This book serves as a useful general introduction to the natural history and, to some extent, taxonomy of social bees and wasps. The genetic, social and economic dynamics of the colony as a biological system are discussed. There is a chapter on using bumblebees as managed pollinators of crops and another on using artificial nests (like those supplied by
Oxford Bee Company) to encourage them in the garden.
Be warned; although there are some nice pictures of various species of bumblebee, this is
not a field-guide for use in their identification. In my view, the lack of good colour plates that could be used to identify the most common species likely to be found is a serious shortcoming of this book. For help with identifying bumblebees in the garden you will need to look elsewhere.
This concise books covers the natural history of bumblebees, their economic importance as pollinators and how to attract them into gardens.