The bombus auricomus, female bumblebee with pollen on her legs. Found in Ontario, it is one that is considered not endangered.

The bombus auricomus, female bumblebee with pollen on her legs. Found in Ontario, it is one that is considered not endangered.
Photo Credit: York U Associate Professor Amro Zayed.

For “Earth Day” (Apr 22) think about bees

Around the world experts are noticing a decline in bee populations.

Bees are the world’s most important pollinators of food crops and all plants.

While we are aware of commercial honey bees, most pollination is done by wild bees.  With so many bess in decline, what can we do to be “bee friendly”?

Bee expert Sheila Colla is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Environmental Studies at York University in Toronto.

Listen
Shiela Colla (PhD) assistant professor, York University.
Shiela Colla (PhD) assistant professor, York University. © supplied

Bees are the most important group of pollinators on the planet.

In Canada we have about 800 native species, and of course commercial European honey bees as well.

But from what researchers can determine they are all in decline to a greater or lesser extent, and this is not just in Canada.  Colla points out that it’s difficult to research information on some species and why they are declining if they’ve already declined to the point where it’s hard to find specimens.

One can just see the rusty-patch hidden under the folded wings. This is the last rusty-patched bumble bee documented in Canada. Photo taken at Pinery Provincial Park Ontario, 2009 © Sheila Colla

While the increased use of pesticides, including the relatively recent neonicotinoids, is often blamed Sheila Colla notes there are other factors at play including loss of habitat and climate change as examples. The latter may also play a role in increased diseases and parasites affecting bee populations, although she says among these possible causes no one source can explain the general decline.

mining bee
Another bee found in Canada, often seen in parks and gardens, this is a mining bee, Andrena sp, and is shown here covered in pollen © Amro Zayed- York U

On this Earth Day, on the 22nd, Colla suggests thinking of ways to help bees.

This one of of the black mason bee, Hoplitis sp. female.They are often found pollinating spring-flowering fruit in orchards, as well as nut trees in Ontario.
This is one is a black mason bees, Hoplitis sp. female.They are often found pollinating spring-flowering fruit in orchards, as well as nut trees in Ontario. © Amro Zayed, York U

For farmers this means leaving some land wild at the edges of fields. For homeowners planting flowering plants is helpful, along with everyone reducing use of pesticides as much as possible.

Additional information

Categories: Environment & Animal Life, International, Internet, Science & Technology
Tags: , , , , , ,

Do you want to report an error or a typo? Click here!

For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.