Pesticide use remains a concern
January 25th, 2010 by admin
The ancestors of bees were wasps in the family Crabronidae, and therefore predators of other insects. Here a tiny halictid bee is gathering pollen, while a bumblebee behind her gathers nectar from a lily. Bees vary tremendously in size. Throughout the northern hemisphere, the last 70 or so years has seen an intensification of agricultural systems which has decreased the abundance and diversity of wild flowers. Although pesticide use remains a concern, the major problem for wild pollinator buy honey bees populations is the loss of the flower-rich habitat on which they depend for food. Native pollinators include bumblebees and solitary bees, which often survive in refuges in wild areas away from agricultural spraying, but may still be poisoned in massive spray programs for mosquitoes, gypsy moths, or other insect pests.