Food, Agriculture, and Biodiversity - Friends Of the Earth Malta

Bee Facts

From Shakespeare to Harry Potter – we’ve been in awe of bees for centuries. But how much do you really know about the insects that play such a unique role in our environment, economy and culture?

Did you know that some bee species are solitary and live in individual nests – in the ground, brickwork, wood or hollow plant stems?

That effective pollination of many crops relies on a diverse range of bee species?

Dumbledore – a character in the Harry Potter series – is an old Cornish word for bumblebee?;

Find out more! Download our Bee Cause booklet on pollinators and the plants they love

Sponsor a Bee Hive

The Maltese honey bee is a sub-species of the honey bee, Apis Mellifera Ruttneri, and is endemic to the Maltese Islands. This bee was always found in the wild but has become rarer to spot due to its decline. Friends of the Earth Malta is currently establishing an apiary to serve as a home for this bee. Help us help the bees by sponsoring the upkeep of one of our hives through a contribution of €50 per person per year.

In return, you will receive a thank you, with the following:

BeeCause kit (tote bag and material)

A bee-hotel or honey (subject to availability)

BeeCause App

Join Friends of the Earth’s BeeCause campaign with our free app which will get you off to a flying start in identifying and recording different species.

By sending us your reports of bee sightings, you’ll learn more about our precious pollinators and easy ways to help them. Plus, you’ll be helping us build a better understanding of the nation’s bee populations.

Your sightings will help experts learn more about different bee species across the Maltese islands.

Create a bee-haven in your back yard

The great thing about gardening is that it’s good for you as well as for wildlife. Every bee-friendly plant in Malta helps bees and our ecosystem.

If you don’t have a garden, go for pots and containers on a sunny windowsill or balcony. Most plants can feed both you and the bees.

You can also contact your local council, school or look into who has an urban in your locality and propose to collaborate the grow some bee-friendly plants.