Bumble bee pollinating, Worcester, England

Where the buzz begins. World Bee Day

A soft buzz and a dusting of pollen can shape the future of our food. World Bee Day, observed each year on 20 May, celebrates pollinators like the bumble bee pictured here during its quiet yet essential work. Unlike many insects, bumble bees use 'buzz pollination,' vibrating their flight muscles to shake pollen from flowers—a method vital for crops such as tomatoes, peppers and blueberries.

Bees and other pollinators contribute to more than 75% of the world's major food crops, improving both yield and quality. Recognising their importance, the United Nations designated World Bee Day in 2018 to draw attention to their role and the growing threats they face, from habitat loss to climate change.

With over 20,000 bee species worldwide—most of them wild—protecting pollinators also means safeguarding entire ecosystems. Each flower visit, like this one, supports biodiversity and helps keep food systems resilient, one vibration at a time.