There are many phobias in the world, some common (heights, snakes, spiders, etc), others so rare as to leave the majority of people who aren’t affected by them scratching their heads.

My phobia is bees. Well, I should add that it’s anything that buzzes and has the capacity to sting, but it’s without doubt bees that sit front and center of my concern. Why, you ask? If I knew that I might be able to figure out a way to overcome my irrational fear.

Now, when I was a young child my terror knew no bounds. Literally – and I’m ashamed to say this – if I had the power to click my fingers and rid the world of bees, I probably would have done so.

Of course, with the benefit of hindsight (and a deal more maturity and knowledge) I know that would have been an extremely bad idea. Had I assumed these god-like powers and made bees extinct I would have effectively doomed the human race to a similar fate.

You see, bees play an immeasurably vital role in our ecosystem. The United Nations Environment Programme estimate that of the 100 crop varieties that provide no less than 90% of the world’s food, 71 of them are pollinated by our buzzing friends.

Armed with that information – and the fact that I didn’t grow up to be psychopathic – I’ve taken on a new respect for bees. I might run away flapping my arms if one lands on my knee of a summer’s day, but I understand the important role they play.