Although some bees and wasps in Spain can be a bit annoying whilst you are trying to eat out on your terrace during the summer, it is without doubt that they are an incredibly important part of the biodiversity of our world. Bees are found on every continent except for Antarctica, in every habitat on the planet that contains insect-pollinated flowering plants. There are over 16,000 known species of bees in seven recognized biological families. Some species (including honey bees, bumblebees, and stingless bees) live socially in colonies while some species including mason bees, carpenter bees, leafcutter bees, and sweat bees are solitary.
Bees in cave paintings
Some of the oldest examples of bees in art are rock paintings in Spain which have been dated to 8,000 BC. In the Cueva de Araña in Valencia the painting depicts a human figure near a cavity where there is a beehive hanging on three lianas. He is picking up honeycombs.
The most commonly known wasps are the yellowjackets and hornets in the family Vespidae. These are referred to as “eusocial” and live together in a nest with an egg-laying queen and non-reproducing workers.
A few Bees and wasps in Spain articles
- Thread-waisted Wasp – Sceliphron spirifex- Sceliphron spirifex are solitary wasps and are not aggressive, they do not sting unless mishandled. The sexes look very similar with the female being larger and with a visible sting.
- Carpenter Bees – Xylocopa violacea- Abeja azul de la madera The later part of this name derives from the beautiful purple / blue sheen seen on the wings as they catch the sunlight. These black bees are common in central and southern Europe.
- The yellow carpenter bee – Xylocopa Pubescans is typically found in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, and the Middle East, ranging from Cape Verde to South Asia. However, it has recently expanded its distribution to the Canary islands and mainland Spain.
- Mammoth Wasp – Megascolia or Regiscolia / Maculata flavifrons – Avispa parasita de cuatro puntas This is a very large solitary wasp, the female reaching up to 4.5cm whereas the male is a little smaller. This species appears in warm weather during late May, June, July and August.
- Hornets – The Gentle Giants of the Wasp World They behave in a social manner, creating a nesting colony which thrives and dies in just one year life cycle.
- Hornets in Spain. Endemic and introduced invasive species of hornet in Spain and how to identify hornets in Spain.
- Great Potter Wasp – Delta unguiculatum – Avispa Alfarera: At up to an inch and a half in length, this beautiful wasp (Great Potter Wasp – Delta unguiculatum – Avispa Alfarera) is the largest European species of the Eumeninae subfamily.
Repopulating Spain with Iberian Bees: The Smart Green Initiative
Their value and the growing concern over their decline have led to initiatives aimed at not only guaranteeing their survival but also reinforcing their presence. One such attempt is the Smart Green Bees project, developed most recently in the Montes de Malaga and other locations in Spain. Read about this project here: https://wildsideholidays.co.uk/repopulating-spain-with-iberian-bees-the-smart-green-initiative/
The Caminito del Rey
Find tickets for the Caminito del Rey: https://www.caminodelrey.es/
Wildside Holidays – Spain
Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.
Iberia Nature Forum
Struggling with identifying those bugs and beasties? Why not check out the Iberia nature Forum!
Discover the Iberia Nature Forum – Environment, geography, nature, landscape, climate, culture, history, rural tourism and travel