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wtshtf1 | 01-26-2008 09:27 PM
Alternative Pollinators to Honey Bees Here is a link to a somewhat less pessimistic article on CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder), the current state of affairs with bees, and a likely possible cause. I agree that the consequences of a loss of Apis mellifera, would be a severe blow, but there are alternatives if you farm and are prepared: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow...htm#transcript One alternative, that are actually more efficient pollinators than honey bees are Mason Bees. They actually don't produce honey, but they (the mason bees) are pollinating little machines. Some information: Orchard Mason Bees http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/inse006/inse006.htm The orchard mason bee (Osmia lignaria) is a gentle beneficial insect that has potential as a pollinator of apples, cherries, and other tree fruits. It is found throughout most of North America, particularly in wooded areas but often around homes in towns and cities. Homeowners sometimes become concerned when they see the bee entering cavities under shake siding or investigating nail holes or other cavities in wood during March through early June. These are not destructive insects, since they do not excavate holes in the wood, though they will clean out loose debris. No controls are recommended, since no damage is done. To prevent the bee from nesting, holes may be filled with caulking. The orchard mason bee is usually slightly smaller than a honey bee and a shiny dark blue in color. The actual size of the bee depends largely upon the size of the hole in which it grew............. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bumble Bees http://www.bumblebee.org/economic.htm The Economic importance of bumblebees Bees are responsible for pollinating plants that provide much of our food; in North America it is believed that 30% of food for human consumption originates from plants pollinated by bees. Honeybees are generally thought of as the most common pollinator, and they are the most widely studied, but bumblebees are the chief pollinators of red clover, alfalfa, and in some areas cotton, raspberries, apple and plum blossom. In Norwegian orchards honeybee pollination is usually limited by low temperatures, so bumblebees are the chief pollinators there, and in other Scandinavian countries bumblebees will forage 24 hours a day in the long days of summer. Also bumblebees will pollinate flowers that do not produce nectar, whereas honeybees will not. Just look at the photograph on the right. No other animal can pollinate "difficult" flowers like antirrhinum except big, fat, hairy bumblebees.............. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Alternative Pollinators http://www.pollinator.com/alt_pollinators.htm

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