Used in research to battle: Arthritis

Vital to our everyday survival because of their pivotal role in sustaining the food chain, these fuzzy little buzzers could be facing extinction in Britain within a decade according to environmental ministers. This is a threat that that is being taken seriously, with the government recently pledging £10 million to boost their fight for survival.

But bees don't just play a vital role in pollination - New York doctors have found that using bee stings to treat patients with severe arthritis has astonishing results.

When trailled, the sting venom decreased pain levels in nearly three quarters of cases. More studies showed that the venom also works for multiple sclerosis sufferers.