There are around 250 species of bee in the UK, including 24 species of bumblebees, about 225 species of solitary bee and just a single honeybee species.
Bumblebees look quite different from honeybees and solitary bees. The most reliable difference is that bumblebees are usually larger, and are always covered with dense hair. You can use the Bumblebee Trust’s online guides to help you identify the bumblebee you have seen.
You can also print out our quick guide to the common species of bumblebee by clicking here, or you can purchase a full ID guide for all 24 species by clicking here.
Click here for details of a free identification workshop on May 26th..
