Belgium builds habitat for rare knautia bee

In Branst, near Bornem, Belgium, a new habitat designed to support the rare knautia bee has been opened. This specific species of wild bee was recently discovered in the municipality, prompting the creation of the specialized environment.

"The sand bee is found in only about 5 places in Flanders, and there's a reason for that," explained Paul Segers of Natuurpunt, a nature conservation organization. "The knautia bee needs one specific flower, the field scabious (beemdkroon). It requires about 50 of these plants to lay its eggs. If the field scabious is mown while the bees are active, it's detrimental. We need to take great care of it."

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The sand bee is found in only about 5 places in Flanders, and there's a reason for that. The knautia bee needs one specific flower, the field scabious (beemdkroon). It requires about 50 of these plants to lay its eggs. If the field scabious is mown while the bees are active, it's detrimental. We need to take great care of it.

The newly constructed 'bee castle' is situated on a disused plot in Buizerdlaan. It is designed not only for the knautia bee but also for other pollinators like butterflies and hoverflies. The structure consists of a sand mound surrounded by a wall of old concrete paving stones. A flowerbed featuring the essential field scabious will soon be added to the elevated sand area.

In addition to the bee castle, the site includes bee hotels constructed with the help of students from the De Appelboom primary school. These hotels are wooden frames filled with hollow tubes where bees can nest. The area also features a pétanque court and picnic benches, aiming to transform the neglected space into a relaxing spot for the local community. Segers noted that many residents were previously unaware of the plot's existence.

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So this little square becomes a place where the neighborhood can relax, because many people didn't even know this little square existed.