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Bees are responsible for pollinating 1/3 of the food eaten globally.
Despite their importance, they are suffering a huge decline in population numbers.
Despite their importance, they are suffering a huge decline in population numbers.
People often talk about "saving the bees". However, when people think of bees, the honeybee often comes to mind.
This is a problem because honeybees are domesticated; they are cared for by a beekeeper who treat disease, supply food when resources are low, and provide shelter.
This is a problem because honeybees are domesticated; they are cared for by a beekeeper who treat disease, supply food when resources are low, and provide shelter.
Because of this, honeybee numbers are stable and aren't suffering a decline like wild bees.
There are more than 20,000 species of bee on the planet.
Only seven species are honeybees, meaning over 99% of the bees species on our planet are wild.
Only seven species are honeybees, meaning over 99% of the bees species on our planet are wild.
Wild bees (e.g. bumblebees and solitary bees) are therefore much more important to protect.
Bumblebees, in particular, are highly efficient pollinators.
Bumblebees, in particular, are highly efficient pollinators.
Wild bees, but not honeybees, can pollinate certain fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, and blueberries. Therefore, without wild bees, you would no longer find these in supermarkets.
Sadly, wild bees are extremely sensitive to stressors such as pesticides, habitat destruction and poor nutrition. Whilst honeybees might be ale to cope with our changing world, wild bees will not, and this will have significant impacts on humans and other wildlife.
1. Plant wildlflowers or a variety of flowering plants e.g. Crocus and primrose in spring, lavender in summer, and Verbena and echinacca in autumn.
2. Create nesting habitats. Leave a space in your garden to become messy over summer and autumn.
3. Erect a bee hotel!
2. Create nesting habitats. Leave a space in your garden to become messy over summer and autumn.
3. Erect a bee hotel!
A huge thank you to @biochemila for creating all of these amazing and informative infographics for me! 
