Premier Pollinators

As many of us battle with pollen-induced allergies, and green dust from the trees settles on everything around us, we aren't thinking of the dwindling number of pollinators in our environment.  But we probably should be.  Most of us are aware that honey bee populations are diminishing at alarming rates.  It's been (thankfully) all over the news.  There are a number of theories as to why our beloved honey bees aren't thriving like they once were, but research indicates that bee populations exposed to pesticide spraying can take 3 to 4 years to recover.  This is true of all bee and wildlife populations, but perhaps honey bees are particularly susceptible?

Naturally, I'm concerned by these findings, and I certainly want to stop this alarming trend by supporting the idea of eco-friendly alternatives to pesticides.  This is not a revolutionary idea, I know.  And I am happy so many people are taking notice, but did you know that the honey bee isn't even a native of the United States?  Brought over by the first European settlers about 1622, the honey bee has adapted beautifully and played its part in the American dream.  It deserves to keep its well-won title as one of the best pollinators this country's flowers and vegetables have ever known.  It accounts for about 15%, or $15-billion, to the nation's plant production, but here's the crazy thing: 80% of our nation's pollinators are native bees (think bumble bee and carpenter bee), flies, wasps, butterflies, beetles and hummingbirds.  Did you know that?  I didn't!

When a friend asked me to do a post on great pollinators, I came across these fascinating facts: #1- bees are the best pollinators because they intentionally seek out the nectar of specific plant species, and gather it in large quantities to feed their young.  And because their bodies are so hairy, more pollen sticks to them.  Other pollinators, like butterflies, birds, wasps, etc, are incidental pollen spreaders, flitting from flower to flower, carrying less of the dust on their smoother bodies.   #2-native bees are better at pollinating tomatoes, eggplant, pumpkins, watermelons, cranberries and blueberries.  In fact, a single native blueberry bee can pollinate enough plants to produce 6,000 blueberries! #3--Other pollinators, such as moths, beetles and butterflies, are better at pollinating in early spring and late fall, when bees are less active.

So, to all you "bee-phobes" ( you know who you are, Mom), don't kill that bee buzzing around your head!  People: I know we think we are the end all and be all, but not to the bees!  Unless we suddenly sprout pollen-filled anthers and stamens, they're not at all interested in us.  Sure we "trick" them by wearing bright, flower-mimicking colors, but bee-lieve me, they'd rather steer clear of us.  So don't swat them away, risking harming or killing them.  We need them.  And while you're at it, don't swat that fly (I know, they can be impossibly annoying), or crush a moth because it "creeps" you out.  Nature's creatures have their own, individual purpose on this Earth, just like we do.  It will benefit us all to remember that.