WHY ARE BEES IMPORTANT?

Even before we dig into this topic, here is the scientific classification of a 'HONEY BEE.'

•  Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Insecta
• Order: Hymenoptera
• Family: Apidae
• Genus: Apis

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/environment/why-bees-matter-so-much-to-humans/

A honey bee is a eusocial flying insect native to Eurasia (Europe and Asia). They are known for constructing perennial, colonial nests by using wax. 

Globally, there are more honey bees than other types of bees and pollinating insects, so it is the world’s most important food crop pollinator. It is estimated that one-third of the food we consume each day relies on pollination, mainly by bees and by other insects, birds, and bats.

Many domestic and imported fruits and vegetables require pollination. 

Examples include:-  avocados, soybeans, asparagus, broccoli, celery, squash, sunflowers for oil, cucumbers, citrus fruit, peaches, kiwis, cherries, cranberries, and melons. For crops such as blueberries and almonds, the honey bee plays an essential role in the pollination of commercial crops.

Honey bees play a significant role in the pollination of other important crops such as cotton and flax. And there are also a number of valuable non-food products produced by the honey bee, such as beeswax used in cleaning and beauty products.

The plight of the honey bee is not one that should be taken lightly. In the past few decades, the population of bees in the world has shown a steady decline by about 30% each year. at this rate, the days of the bees can literally be numbered. 

Researchers have grappled with understanding what exactly is causing the decline in the bee population, and at the same time, we have been forced to face the reality of the loss of the bee means for the large, global ecosystem. You see, like many other species, the bee plays a vital role in keeping the balance between other species and their environment. In the case of bees and humans, these little insects are largely responsible for regulating our food supply. 

70 of the top 100 food crops grown worldwide rely on pollinators; this is equivalent to 90 percent of the world’s nutrition. It might sound unbelievable, but without bees, we can say goodbye to food such as apples, almonds, oranges, and avocados.

Not only do bees impact the world economy, but they also contribute a lot to the Ecosystem. 

Bees are extremely important for humans and for the entire ecosystem to function. As we know, bees allow plants to reproduce through pollination. These plants contribute to the food system by feeding animals, such as birds and insects, aside from humans. If the food source for these animals was diminished or lost completely, it would cause the entire food chain to suffer. Additionally, about 80% of flower plants depend on pollination. If this process stops, not only do, we have the potential to lose beautiful plants, but also food for us, birds, squirrels, and all of the other animals that depend on plants for food.

This being the scenario, it is terrifying to know that these little insects which are more important on earth than humans are at serious risk of extinction. 

BUT WHY ARE BEES AT RISK? 

There are various threats that the bee population faces, including habit loss and climatic changes, but the most pressing threat to bees is pesticides. Ironically, humans spray pesticides on crops to protect them from pests that could harm their productivity. Still, these chemicals are also responsible for killing bees, making many of these same crops possible. Neonicotinoids are some of the most harmful pesticides to bees as they function by attacking the insect's nervous system, leading to instantaneous death. Still, also bees that do survive exposure can become disoriented and forget how to find their way back to the hive – hence, Colony Collapse Disorder. 

HOW CAN WE HELP? 

• Plant bee-friendly trees in your garden. 
• Support organic farmers who do not use chemicals on their crops
• Spread the word about the importance of bees and their declining population!

I hope this was a fun read, have a BEELICIOUS week ahead!!!!