The Bumblebee Conservation Trust has launched a new wildlife app called What's That Bumblebee, to make it easier than ever for Brits to identify different species of bee.
The clever app, which can be downloaded for free, gives users a view of different realistic-looking bees through an augmented reality 3D function.
All people have to do is point their phone in the garden or around the home, and a giant bumblebee will appear on screen. This gives wildlife-lovers that chance to study them up close, plus send the images to their friends and family, too.
"In these difficult times, lots of people have been appreciating nature and wanting to find out more," Andy Benson, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust's Education Officer, said. "What's That Bumblebee makes it easy for people of all ages to discover and identify different bumblebees visiting their gardens, outdoor spaces, parks or window boxes."
What bumblebees can people expect to see on the app?
While there are in total 24 bumblebee species in the UK, the most common 'Big 8' that people are likely to see outside include:
1. Buff-tailed bumblebee
2. Common carder bee
3. Early bumblebee
4.Garden bumblebee
5. Heath bumblebee
6. Red-tailed bumblebee
7. Tree bumblebee
8. White-tailed bumblebee
People are also being encouraged to share images from the app on social media using the hashtag #whatsthatbumblebee. Why not give it a go?
What's That Bumblebee can be downloaded for free at the Apple App Store or Google Play. To find out more, visit bumblebeeconservation.org.
Read more on bees:
- 6 steps to sowing wildflower seeds in your garden
- 6 garden herbs that will help attract bees into your garden
- How to keep bees
- 8 bee bricks, bee hives and bee hotels to buy right now
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Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
