If you picture a bee, you’ll probably think of a honeybee in a hive or a bumblebee pollinating a flower. But a new National Geographic TV series, Secrets of the Bees, shows that there’s so much more to bees than you might think.
For a start, there are over 20,000 bee species that can be found across every continent in the world except Antarctica.
- It has hairy legs and flies with its tongue poking out – and it could be in a garden near you
- Does the world's deadliest bee deserve its killer reputation?
There’s a bee with astonishing architectural skills, and a meat-eating bee that thrives in the Amazon rainforest.
“Far more than pollinators, bees are socially complex, fast-thinking individuals and the most important insects on our planet,” says executive producer James Cameron.
“Their impact on the natural world and humanity is immeasurable, and we’re only just beginning to see how extraordinary they truly are.”
But their importance is being revealed at a time when their survival isn’t guaranteed. According to Friends of the Earth, the UK has lost 13 species of bee since 1900, with 35 more under threat of extinction.
And scientists at Washington State University, US, observed that up to 70 per cent of commercial honeybee colonies had died over the past year. These are integral to the US agricultural system: without them, harvests could shrink and prices could increase.
What is Secrets of the Bees about?
Secrets of the Bees uncovers the remarkable lives of bees. Often overlooked as honey producers or flower pollinators, the TV series showcases their intelligence and ingenuity – as well as how crucial they are to life on Earth as we know it.
Using the latest technology, journey into the hive to see unprecedented behaviour – such as the development of honeybee larvae in their cells, and a bumble bee packing pollen on its legs.
New insights into how intelligent bees are also revealed, showing that they are complex problem solvers. The series takes a look at the threats that bees are currently facing, as well as the bold solutions that are being explored in the hope to secure their future.
- How is a queen bee chosen? And how are they different from worker bees?
- How do bees make honey? A step-by-step guide to the fascinating process bees have carried out for thousands of years
Where can you watch Secrets of the Bees?
Secrets of the Bees is available to watch on Disney+ from 1 April 2026.
Who presents Secrets of the Bees?
Wildlife filmmaker and Natural Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory hosts and narrates the TV series. Entomologist and Natural Geographic Explorer Sammy Ramsey will also provide expert insight into these incredible creatures.
Top image: a bumble bee passes nectar from her fore legs to hind legs. Credit: National Geographic
