Loss of Native Bees Further Threatens Farming
Most of the news about colony collapse has been about honey bees. However, California native bee populations are also disappearing. Tens of thousands of acres of native rangelands and pastures are being converted to vineyards or lost to development every year. The result is less wildflowers and decreased food sources for native bees. Native bees could help provide some of the pollination that was previously done by honey bees but their populations are now also in serious decline.
As individuals we can help by planting native flowering plants, avoiding the use of pesticides which are toxic to bees, and avoid buying plants from nurseries that use pesticides. To learn more read in the Bay Citizen” Native Bees Worth Billions of Dollars a year, Researchers Say – The Bay Citizen.
Related articles
- The Great Bee Count (naturalhistorywanderings.com)
- Honeybees Spreading Viruses to Native Bees? (naturalhistorywanderings.com)
- Threats to Honey Bees and Food Crops (naturalhistorywanderings.com)
