Bumblebee honey in the Nordic countries

Abstract

Research in historical ethnobiology can provide informaon about lile known and seemingly insignificant pracces in the past. The ulizaon of insect products as a foodstuff is a rare custom in Europe and data on this pracce are scarce. From Nordic countries, we have informaon about producing ant schnapps with the help of the red wood ant, Formica rufa L., which has been used both as a remedy and as a drink. Honey and beeswax were once gathered in the forests from wild honey bee colonies, but have been replaced with products from the domesc honey bee, Apis mellifera L. Another product, once a well‐known and appreciated sweet, especially among children, was nectar gathered from bumblebee nests. Collecng the nectar from bumblebee nests is an acvity that has been pracced within living memory in many parts of the Nordic countries. This seems to be an ancient pracce dang back at least a millennium that has survived unl recently. It is an example of how methods and sources established within historical ethnobiology can be used to gain knowledge on the past as well as possible future uses of available biological resources.