BEES
Bees are the single most effective pollinator. This is largely due to the fact that they consume and collect both pollen and nectar, whereas most pollinators solely consume nectar. Pollen is a crucial source of protein, particularly for larval and juvenile bees. Bees have specialized appendages known as corbicula, or “pollen baskets,” that allow them to carry loads of pollen weighing up to 35% of their body weight back to the hive.
There are an estimated 20,000 different species of bees on earth, 3,600 in the United States and Canada alone. The European Honeybee (Apis mellifera) is the most common of the 8 species of honeybee worldwide. Although honeybees only account for a small fraction of bee species in the world, they are beloved for their ability to transform nectar into honey, as well as their fascinating communal living systems. Hives can house tens of thousands of individuals with unique roles and social hierarchies, working together and communicating through a complex blend of pheromones and dance language.
DID YOU KNOW: Worker bees will dance in specific patterns upon return to the nest, to precisely indicate the location and quality of nearby pollen!
Bee populations world wide are threatened by Colony Collapse Disorder, which is theorized to be caused by various factors including: the invasive varroa mite, new or emerging diseases, and poor nutrition. Exciting research about the fungus Metarhizium suggests that the spores from this fungus can kill varroa mites, while leaving bees unharmed. We can all help bees by planting native flowers, eliminating chemical sprays from gardens and farms, and leaving ground nests and hollow plant stems undisturbed to provide safe shelter for various bee species.
Sources
Bees and Pollinators
Western Honeybee
How to Help Bees
Colony Collapse Disorder
Fungus for Bee Health