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Bees
as Pollinators
The western honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) is the most well-known bee crop pollinator. Its native range extends from northern Europe, through the Middle East and all of verdant Africa. Beginning in the 17th century, European colonists began actively spreading this bee throughout much of the world. Since then, A. mellifera has proven highly adaptable to a broad range of climates. Its adaptability, tolerance of human management and honey-making habit secured its place as humanity's favorite bee. Large feral populations of honey bees became the norm in much of the world, populations that contributed significantly to crop pollination. Today, many countries have large and sophisticated beekeeping industries dedicated to producing honey, other hive products and pollination services. Depressed world honey prices over the last few decades can be blamed in part on the availability of cheaper sweeteners. Parasitic varroa mites (Varroa sp.) and tracheal mites (Acarapis woodi) spread from their native ranges and killed untold thousands of managed honey bee colonies and virtually eliminated feral populations in places. Renewed interest in using bumble bees and solitary bees as commercial pollinators resulted from these hardships. Only a few species of alternative pollinators have been successfully cultured, so there is an emphasis on conserving their natural populations. There is great need for research in the conservation, culture and use of these bees for pollination. Naturally occurring bee populations aren't always dependable for commercial pollination needs, due to their uneven distribution or loss of their natural habitats and food plants. Techniques for rearing and managing some non-honey bees are finely worked out and practical; for others, the methods are poorly developed or protected as proprietary secrets.
Text from: Delaplane, K.S. & D.F. Mayer. 2000. Crop pollination by bees. CAB International, Oxon, United Kingdom, 344 pp. |
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Bees
as Pollinators | Economic
Impact | Population in Peril | Seeking
Solutions | Other Resources The University of Georgia | College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Comments or questions about this site? Contact us. |
