Fota Junior Wildlife Trail
Join us on an exciting journey to learn about the
amazing world of bees and how you can help
protect them. Let’s make a difference together!











Take the Quiz
What language does the word ‘Fota’ come from?
Irish
What is the name for the little grains that bees and other pollinators carry from one plant or flower to another during pollination?
Pollen
What colour are our Native Black Bees?
Black or Brown
What kind of flower is usually better for bees- flowers with lots of petals or a flower with fewer petals?
Flowers with fewer petals are generally best as the bees can find the pollen and nectar more easily
How many Queen Bees would you normally find in a colony?
There is usually only 1 Queen Bee in a colony.
What is the job of a Queen Bee?
Her job is to make lots of new bee babies.
Can a drone bee lay eggs?
No, a Drone bee cannot lay eggs-his job is to help the Queen make new bee babies.
Are Worker Bees girl (female) or boy (male) bees?
All Worker Bees are girl bees (females).
Can you remember the names of any of the bee-friendly plants found in the glasshouses of the Victorian Framing Yard?
Pride of Madeira/Giant Viper’s Bugloss/Cape Daisy/Foxglove/Palmatum.
Can bees get food from trees as well as flowering plants?
Yes, lots of trees produce flowers which are an important source of food for bees (eg. The Amur Cork tree, Willow tree, Sycamore tree….and many more.)
Do all bees live in a colony?
No, some bees are “solitary bees” which means that they like to live by themselves. (Eg: Bumblebees, mining bees, mason bees and many more….)
Do bees and pollinating insects feed on all types of flowers?
No, bees prefer some particular flowers, for example; foxglove, wallflower, fuschia, lavender etc. (see www.pollinators.ie for more information)