Aster with Venetian Glass Bumble Be. It is one of summer’s iconic moments: a buzzing black-and-yellow bumble bee plodding heavily from delicate bloom to delicate bloom. A subgroup of the roughly 730 described species of bees (Apoidea: Anthophila) in Canada, bumble bees (genus Bombus), native to the Americas as well as Europe, Asia, and North Africa, are important pollinators crucial to the ongoing survival of many flowering plants. Bumble bees in particular engage in a practice known as’buzz pollination,’ where, clutching a flower’s stamen with their jaws, they rapidly vibrate their wing muscles, loosening and scattering pollen. Bumble bees are among the most resilient types of bees and prefer temperate climates. Because they are generalists, gathering nectar and pollen from a wide variety of flowers (up to 20 flowers per minute), it is somewhat easier for them to survive environmental changes. Nevertheless, like many bees, they are threatened by factors such as habitat loss, parasites, and pathogens. Luckily, anyone can help to support and attract bumble and other bee populations by planting a variety of native flowering plants. A Perfect Match: The Bumble Bee and the Aster The North American species of Aster (reclassified in the 1990s to other genera, but still commonly known as asters) are flowering perennial herbs usually bearing striking blue, mauve, pink, or white flowers. These lovely plants share an important symbiosis with bumble bees: the bees are one of the asters’ key pollinators and for many bumble bees, asters are a major food source. Asters are also easy to grow and thus a great choice for Canadian gardeners. Specifications: Item number: 117583 Face Value: 20 dollars Mintage: 10,000 Composition: 99.99% Pure Silver Diameter (mm): 38 Weight (g): 31.39 Edge: Serrated Finish: Proof with colour Special Features: – The bumble bee featured in Venetian glass-prized around the world for its clear, vibrant colours-was handcrafted by a master glass-maker in Murano, Italy. The second coin in a series of world-renowned Royal Canadian Mint coins featuring one-of-a-kind Venetian glass insect perfectly perched on an engraved and colourful flower. A fantastic collector’s item as well as a unique and beautiful one-of-a-kind gift to commemorate special occasions. This 99.99% pure silver coin comes in the Royal Canadian Mint’ attractive branded clamshell case. A great collectible for nature lovers, wildflower enthusiasts, conservationists, and more. Packaging: Coin is encapsulated and presented in a maroon clamshell case lined with flock and protected by a black sleeve. Packaging: Maroon clamshell with black outer box. Citadel Coins Halifax, Nova Scotia Official Royal Canadian Mint Distributor.