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Sex, lies, bribery, deception and entrapment. What plants really get up to with their pollinators

Peter Smith SpeakerNet Sponsor


Regions:
Surrey, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire, London
Notice Period:
Regular (more than one month's notice)
Type:
Hobby
Fee:
Paid: £125 plus travel from Guildford
Category:
Nature
Updated:
24th February 2026

It’s the greatest of all mutually beneficial arrangements – plants persuade pollinators (not always insects) to pollinate them by offering a reward - usually, but not always, nectar. Except that many plants can be very picky about who they want as pollinators and some don’t like to offer a reward and use a whole range of alternatives from the ingenious to the downright sneaky.

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About Peter Smith

I'm a beekeeper, amateur entomologist and writer and give talks on a range of subjects which share a common focus on the insects and plants of the UK and the stories and histories associated with them. My fully illustrated talks are designed to entertain as well as inform and are aimed at everyone with an interest in the natural world. I try to improve the awareness of some of the problems faced by our native pollinators and offer practical suggestions on what we can do to help them. I also work closely with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

As seen on BBC Countryfile! I presented a section on bees and pollinators on the Countryfile edition aired on April 21st.

I give talks to Wildlife and Conservation groups, Gardening Clubs, U3A and PROBUS groups, Resident Associations and Businesses and have received the following testimonials.

  • "Absolutely Fascinating - I had no idea moths were so interesting - or colourful" (The Secret World of Moths)
  • "A complete eye-opener" (The Plight of the Bumblebee)
  • "Brilliant, engaging, knowledgeable and funny" (Protecting our Pollinators)
  • "Insightful, entertaining and amusing" (The Business of Bees)
  • "Not just delicious - hugely informative" (A Taste of Honey)
  • "Fantastic! Enormous scope and genuinely surprising. And funny - very funny! Also I can't wait to cast my first honey spell" (Bees & Honey: Tradition, Myth, Symbol & Magic)
  • Well this raised the lid (!) on beekeeping and honey for me. (Responsible Beekeeping)
  • I'll never look at a Cabbage White again without smiling. (The Private Lives of Butterflies)

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