Explore pollinators and restoration with our e-learning tools

Discover a range of digital and interactive tools designed to deepen your understanding of pollinators and effective restoration measures. Learn how different actions support wild bees and other pollinators and explore practical approaches to habitat improvement.

What do bees smell like?

Bee scent quiz

Our RestPoll project member Sean Birk Bek Craig (Aarhus University) has the rare ability to identify bees by smell. Can you guess what these bee species smell like?

1 / 5

What does the Common carder bee (Bombus pascuorum) smell like?

Spicy and warm, with notes of cinnamon and clove

Acidic, with notes reminiscent of English toffee

Sweet and floral, reminiscent of honey and rose petals

Bright and citrusy, with notes of lime zest

2 / 5

What is the scent of the Tawny mining bee (Andrena fulva)?

Raspberry

Strawberry

Lemon

Rose

3 / 5

What is the smell of the Hairy-footed flower bee (Anthophora plumipes)?

Like freshly cut grass after a summer rain

Like crisp ocean air with a hint of salt

Like smoky wood from a campfire

Like the air released from an inflatable rubber mattress

4 / 5

What is the scent of Nomad bees (Nomada)?

Fruity and tropical, like ripe mango

Earthy and woody, like damp forest soil

Caramelly or rose-like

Fresh and herbal, reminiscent of mint leaves

5 / 5

What does the Yellow-legged mining bee (Andrena flavipes) smell like?

Whisky

Tobacco

Coffee

Chocolate

Your score is

“I think I got a lot of inspiration from many different places, but smelling has been a very pivotal part for me. It's made me become more inquisitive with a new sense that I didn’t use before.”

Sean Birk Bek Craig

Learn more about Sean

Test You Knoweldge of Wild Bees

Test Your Knowledge of Wild Bees

Wild bees are essential pollinators—and yet many people know very little about them. In this quiz, you can test your knowledge and learn how you can help them at the same time.

1 / 6

How many species of wild bees are there in Europe?

ca. 330

ca. 580

ca. 1,600

ca. 2,100

Unfortunately, that is not correct. There are approximately 2,100 species of wild bees in Europe, but only one species of honeybee.

Correct! There are about 2,100 species of wild bees in Europe, but only one species of honeybee.

2 / 6

What percentage of cultivated crops benefit from insect pollination?

ca. 30%

ca. 50%

ca. 75%

ca. 90%

Unfortunately, this answer is incorrect. 75% of crop plants benefit from visits to their flowers by bees and other pollinators. For more information and practical tips on crop pollination and measures to protect pollinators, see the "Practical Handbook on Crop Pollination" (available in German).

Correct! 75% of crop plants benefit from visits to their flowers by bees and other pollinators. For more information and practical tips on crop pollination and measures to protect pollinators, see the "Practical Handbook on Crop Pollination" (available in German).

3 / 6

True or false? Wasps do not nest in insect hotels; only wild bees do.

True

False

Unfortunately, this answer is incorrect. Solitary (non-social) wasps also nest in insect hotels. You can find more information about insect hotels here.

That's the correct answer. Solitary (non-social) wasps also nest in insect hotels. You can find more information about insect hotels here.

Hinweis zur Frage

Bees need suitable nesting sites and food. For more information on protecting wild bees, visit https://uni-freiburg.de/enr-nature/protection-wild-bees/.

4 / 6

What can you do to help wild bees in your garden or backyard? (Multiple answers allowed)

Alternate mowing and trimming plants in sections

Leave the "weeds" alone

Create or preserve open, sunny areas of ground with sparse vegetation

Avoid using synthetic chemical pesticides

5 / 6

Take a close look at the picture: Is this insect a bee, a wasp, or a hoverfly?

Bee

Wasp

Hoverfly

Unfortunately, that's not correct. Most bee species can be easily identified by their dense hair covering. Wasps have a smooth body with a distinctive "wasp waist." Hoverflies have strikingly large eyes, only one pair of wings, and no stinger.

Super, that's the right answer. Most bee species can be easily identified by their dense hair covering. Wasps have a smooth body with a distinctive "wasp waist." Hoverflies have strikingly large eyes, only one pair of wings, and no stinger.

6 / 6

True or false? Most wild bee species nest in the ground.

True

False

Unfortunately, that's incorrect. It is estimated that around 64–83 % of all wild bee species nest in the ground.

That's right! It is estimated that around 64–83 % of all wild bee species nest in the ground.

Your score is

The average score is 66%

More tools will be available soon.