Quibble over your garden fences no more - the UK's favourite insect has been announced.

A poll, conducted by the Royal Society of Biology, has found that the buff-tailed bumble bee Bombus terrestris is the nation's favourite insect.

In a poll that was answered by 7,500 eager Entomologists, 40% claimed that this sweet little bee was certainly their favourite.

The poll was set up in order to encourage people to appreciate the insects found in most gardens and voters had the choice of 10 popular insects chosen by ecologists.

Runner up in second place was the ladybird, with the Emperor Dragonfly and Small Tortoiseshell butterfly coming third and fourth.

The buff-tailed bumblebee is the earliest bee you're likely to spot in the garden and is common throughout the UK.

The buff-tailed bumblebee is the earliest bee you're likely to spot in your garden Credit: Alamy

Dr Rebeeca Nesbitt, member of the Royal Society of Biology said of the results that “Seeing bumblebees buzzing around flowers in our gardens is a highlight of the British summer. I find it fascinating to watch them hard at work collecting pollen and nectar to keep their colony alive and thriving, and it’s great to know that so many people agree!

We’re also acutely aware of the services which insects, and bees in particular, provide for us. Many crops and wild flowers alike depend on bumblebees for pollination. They contribute to our economy, our countryside and the food we eat.”

The humble bumble bee is not only important to see in our gardens however, they are also invaluable to our agricultural industry, and are worth a massive £400 million per year.

In order to encourage hordes of bees into your garden, make sure to plant lots of open-flowered plants, which are easily accessible by bees. Sweet William, lavender, rose campion, bergamot and white clover are all perfect, and fairly easy to grow.



