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Nesting female bees cut out immediately obvious elliptical shapes from the edges of a leaf to make their cells for laying eggs. Since one female might need 20 or so cells, that's a lot of leaf cutting, particularly when the bee keeps returning

Make a bee-lineGreat flowers start with pollination, and for that you need bees. Find out how to get the busiest garden insects to work for you.How to... make a bee hotelGardens are extremely important for bumblebees, and vice versa. Bees need

eggs? Collect old flower stalks or bamboo canes, follow our simple steps and you could be watching the fascinating insects in your garden this summer.A plank of untreated wood or ply at least 10cm wideA plentiful supply of hollow stems such as reeds

Ants are eusocial insects that belong to the same order as wasps and bees.

Of the bee family, similar to the honey bee. Distinguished by the orange hairs on its underside and the powerful jaws with which it shears off pieces of leaf. May cause damage to the leaves of roses, laburnums, lilacs, etc, during the egg

The honey-like liquid secreted by plants. It's commonly found in flowers, and attracts bees and insect pollinators.

at the front. Top up with compost and water well.To make the two bee hotels, drill several deep, 5-8mm wide holes into a 15-20cm long log, and fill an offcut of drainpipe with lengths of bamboo. Place among the plants.AdamChoose an open, sunny, sheltered site

Jekka McVicar's 10 herbs for wildlifeJekka McVicar's organic herb garden achieved a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show 2009. We caught up with her at the show to discover her top 10 herbs for attracting wildlife.Herbs have been used for culinary

nest underground in old mouse or vole burrows - which this project mimics.Flowerpot, 20cm in diameterTube or piping, 30cm length x 1.8cm diameterChicken wireSlate or tileNesting materialall year round30 minutesSelect a generous amount of nesting

of flowers, but is often found visiting flowers of soft fruit, such as blackberries and raspberries.Early bumblebee, Bombus pratorumMore advice for attracting bees to your gardenCreating a bumblebee nest in your gardenMaking a bee hotel for solitary bee