Page 30 - World of Animals - Issue #36

All about the honeybee

Disappearing honeybees

Although these bees are unlikely to disappear any time as well as causing deadly antibiotic resistance. A single
soon they are still in decline. Since 2006 they have been field in North America can be exposed to up to 21
vulnerable to ‘colony collapse disorder’, a mystifying different chemicals and bees are dying in their millions
syndrome that leaves all the adult bees dead except the year after year.
queen. Even more bizarrely, when collapsed colonies Thankfully, these insects have the world’s attention
are discovered no bodies are found, the workers and and conservation efforts are well underway.
drones simply disappear. There is no clear reason why Organisations plant wildflowers and native grasses on
this phenomenon occurs, and starvation can be ruled uncultivated land to provide food for foraging bees
out as deserted hives usually have adequate honey and target areas with the highest bee density. Research
supplies. Between 20 and 30 per cent of colonies don’t is ongoing into exactly how we can avoid chemical
survive winter and colony collapse disorder accounts for poisoning, and while the puzzle is being solved in labs
up to 60 per cent of those. around the world there are things anybody can do to
This disorder has been reported less frequently since help. Plant bee-friendly herbs and flowers and leave a
2010, but there are several more factors that have water basin in your garden to keep visitors refreshed.
caused bee numbers to tumble. Pesticides have played Be careful about what kind of honey you buy, opt
a significant role, and chemicals that have become for a local raw variety if possible, and try not to use
common in agriculture directly harm bee populations pesticides or other chemicals on your lawn.

No fruit
without bees
It’s said that one in every three bites of
food in the USA relies on honeybees,
and if they were to disappear there are
foods that we would never taste again

Kiwi

Lemon

Apple

Mango

Strawberry

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