Amidst the pandemonium that has been America's past few months or so, a certain insect has consistently made its way into the public eye by way of bloggers, other influences, businesses- you name it. With it came a phrase that has been spoken many a time- "Save the bees!" However, apart from such statements, not much action can be seen- at least, not on such a scale one might expect. This lack of serious action certainly brings a question to the minds of citizens worldwide- are we showing our stripes, or is the situation not likely to "sting" as much as most think it will?
The Real Situation
While many are under the impression that our sweet honeybees are in terrible peril, this is actually not the case. Honeybees are integral in the process of pollination, which accounts for about 70% of the production of fruits, vegetables and nuts that we consume on a daily basis. Therefore, even the slightest cause for concern regarding our black-and-yellow comrades sets off an immense, poignant ripple effect from scientists to average citizens.
Then What's Going On?
While our honeybees are doing just fine, contrary to popular belief, the suspicion that they aren't is, in fact, rooted in some truth. Bees were, indeed, recently added to the endangered species list. However, there is a rather significant detail that must not be neglected- the bees added to the endangered species were not honeybees, but instead were a few rather obscure species originating in Hawaii. Specifically, seven species' of Hawaiian yellow-faced bees, otherwise known as Hylaeus anthracinus, Hylaeus longiceps, Hylaeus assimulans, Hylaeus facilis, Hylaeus hilaris, Hylaeus kuakea, and Hylaeus mana. These specific kinds of bees are dwindling in numbers because they require a certain level of diversity among plants, which has been affected by man's development of land in Hawaii. Thus, because these species' habitats have begun to dwindle away due to our interference and change, the bees shall dwindle away with them. Fortunately for these bees, programs are being put in place to prevent their numbers from dwindling further, likely through the aid of federal agencies.
What About Our Honeybees?
While our honeybees are, indeed, not currently an endangered species, fluctuations in their past amounts have presented a cause for concern among citizens. In 2006, an epidemic of CCD, otherwise known as Colony Collapse Disorder, struck the honeybee population in the US. Essentially, CCD is when the worker bees flee their queen and their hive, thus causing the collapse of honeybee colonies, and mass deaths of many a bee. Since this epidemic, various precautions have been put in place to more carefully monitor honeybee health, population, preservation of habitat, etc. Beekeepers especially have been meticulously breeding bees and rearranging colonies to ensure that CCD does not strike once more. Further, researchers have been carefully studying the effects of insecticides on our flying friends in order to reduce the bee fatalities caused by man-made substances used for farming and the like. Regardless, as of right now, our honeybees are "A-ok." However, on behalf of the science community and concerned honeybee enthusiasts around the world- please, "bee" cautious, and keep our bees safe.
Works Cited:
https://www.sciencealert.com/seven-species-of-bees-have-been-added-to-the-endangered-species-list
