The buzz about bees

As the morning sun casts its warm glow over a field of wildflowers, the sound of buzzing fills the air. Industrious bees dart from one blossom to the next, collecting precious nectar and pollen to return to their hives. It’s an idyllic scene that has captivated our imagination for centuries, and for a good reason –bees are some of the most incredible creatures on our planet. Unfortunately, however, it is a scene that is becoming increasingly uncommon as these tiny creatures, whose importance belies their size, are facing mounting threats to their survival.

HONEYBEES CAN FLY UP TO 5 MILES FROM THEIR HIVE IN SEARCH OF NECTAR AND POLLEN.

Bees have been on the planet for a very long time now. Fossils found, dating back as far as 100 million years ago, reveal that the little bee outlived the colossal dinosaur whose very food they pollinated. Even our earliest ancestors recognised the importance of these creatures, as evidenced by cave paintings found in Spain from 8,000 years ago depicting honey harvesters risking life and limb to collect the sweet and richly nutritious honey.

A BEE COLONY CAN CONTAIN UP TO 60,000 BEES.

But it was the Ancient Egyptians who first realised that bees could be kept in artificial hives and keep their products “on tap”. However, the world’s first apiarists didn’t just view bees as a source of honey and wax but rather as sacred creatures that came from the tears of their sun god Ra, which, upon falling from the sky, transformed into bees, providing the Egyptian people with this delicious “liquid gold” The bee’s elevated status was such that bee was chosen to represent Lower Egypt in hieroglyphics. And likewise, across different eras and civilisations, from the Romans to the Greeks and the Mayans, this unassuming insect has been revered by one and all. Since ancient times, honeybees have often been the poster child for the critical role that bees play in the world.

BEES DANCE TO LET EACH OTHER KNOW WHERE TO FIND THE BEST NECTAR, POLLEN, WATER OR NEST LOCATION.

However, many people do not know that honeybees comprise just eight of the estimated 20,000 bee species worldwide. And while these non-honey-producing species may not provide us with that sweet spoonful of sunshine on our toast in the morning, they play just as vital a role in pollinating our world’s plants and crops. Many of these species differ significantly from the image of the quintessential honeybee living in large, organised colonies – an estimated 90 percent of bee species are, in fact, solitary, with large numbers of them nesting underground or in tree crevices. Even the much-loved bumblebee, known for its cuddly, fuzzy and stripy appearance, often lives alone in small underground colonies or in appropriated manmade structures.

These tiny insects pollinate an incredible one-third of the world’s crops, providing us with the delicious fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds we enjoy daily.

The world as we know it simply wouldn’t exist without bees; it’s no exaggeration to say that they are essential to the fabric of life on Earth. These tiny insects pollinate an incredible one-third of the world’s crops, providing us with the delicious fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds we enjoy daily. Without them, our plates would undoubtedly be a lot emptier, our world a loss less vibrant, and food shortages would be a severe threat to vast swathes of the global population.

THE QUEEN WILL LIVE FOR UP TO 5 YEARS, THE WORKERS JUST 5 OR 6 WEEKS.

While other creatures like butterflies, birds and even bats also play a vital role in pollination, and indeed many plants rely on the wind or themselves for pollination, it’s fair to say that bees are the bee’s knees in pollinating the world’s plants.

A QUEEN BEE WILL LAY 800,000 EGGS IN HER LIFETIME.

So, why are bees so effective at pollination? With their specialised sense of smell, they can locate flowers with nectar and pollen from miles away, and whilst collecting, they inadvertently brush against the anthers – the male reproductive organs of the flower. The pollen sticks to their hairy legs and branched hairs on their bodies, and when the bee visits another flower of the same species, some of the pollen rubs off onto the stigma – the female reproductive organ. Not for nothing are bees known as industrious; honeybees, for example, can visit several thousand flowers in just one day!

CROPS THAT DEPEND ON POLLINATION ARE 5 TIMES MORE VALUABLE THAN THOSE THAT DO.

The cross-pollination carried out by the bees is vitally important for several reasons. Not only does it allow plants to produce seeds and fruits so the different species can continue, but it also helps maintain genetic diversity, which is essential for all living organisms’ longterm survival. Finally, it can lead to the creation of new plant varieties, benefitting agriculture and horticulture.

A SINGLE HONEYBEE ONLY PRODUCES HALF A TEASPOON OF HONEY IN ITS ENTIRE LIFE.

Try to imagine a world without the hum of bees. Food scarcity would be just the beginning. The disappearance of these incredible insects would create a catastrophic ripple effect, devastating plant populations and the animals and insects that depend on them for food and habitat. The consequences of such a loss would be far-reaching, resulting in a dramatic loss of biodiversity and a significant blow to the planet’s overall health.

BUMBLEBEES HAVE BRAINS THE SIZE OF A POPPY SEED BUT THEY CAN BE TRAINED BY SCIENTISTS TO CARRY OUT REWARD-GIVING TASKS OR RECOGNISE HUMAN FACES.

Unfortunately, threats to bees are multiple and, like so much on this planet, caused by human hand. The pesticides and herbicides we use to produce more food ironically kill the very creatures that help provide us with the majority of our food. And as we humans drastically reduce natural habitats for our use in development or farming, the habitat and food source of these tiny creatures are decimated. This is not to mention climate change or the introduction of invasive species like the Asian hornet, which terrorises native species of bees.

NECTAR IS WHAT THE BEES EAT TO GIVE THEM ENERGY TO DO THEIR JOBS.

As their fate hangs in the balance, yet another peril presents itself in the form of disease and parasites. Unfortunately, in 2005, an unwelcome invader arrived in Antigua: the varroa mite, a parasitic pest that harms honeybee colonies by siphoning their blood and transmitting viruses. The consequences were dire, with the queen bee population suffering a staggering 90 percent loss as a result.

HONEYBEES NEVER SLEEP.

Beekeeping has been a part of Antigua & Barbuda’s cultural heritage since colonial times, yet the challenges of natural disasters such as hurricanes, compounded by the threats posed by varroa parasites, have propelled beekeeping to the forefront in recent years.

HONEYBEES CAN FLY UP TO 15 MILES AN HOUR.

For locals, including the Rastafarian community, the practice of gathering wild honey from feral colonies continues to this day, harking back to the traditions of our forebears from millennia ago. Nonetheless, a rise in skilled beekeepers on the islands has catalysed the industry’s growth, albeit on a relatively small scale, contributing both economically and ecologically to the local landscape.

The world as we know it simply wouldn’t exist without bees; it’s no exaggeration to say that they are essential to the fabric of life on Earth.

Photocred: Colin Banks