Pollination services & bees
May 10, 2015
Pollination services & bees
POLLINATION
pollen is transferred in the reproduction of plants, thereby enabling fertilization and sexual reproduction.
> 3/4 of food crops require pollinators
20% Abiotic
80% Biotic
Bees, butterflies, flies, bats, birds, rodents, etc.
BEES
> 1mln insects named
Exoskeleton, 3 pairs of legs, compound eyes, one pair of antenna
>20,000 bee species, est. 7-9 families
6 families in Africa: 1. Colletidae
2. Andrenidae
3. Megachilidae
4. Halictidae
5. Apidae
6. Melittidae
BEES
BEE
HONEY BEE
Generalists
Rent out hives
Honey production
Some carry pollen
(for “building” – close, as pollen is collected
more quickly), others nectar (far).
Threat: mites, fungi, Colony Collapse Disorder
TOMATOES
Wind
Mechanical
shaking
Bees
STINGLESS BEES (SIZE FROM 2MM)
CARPENTER BEE (SIZE EVEN 2.5CM)
CARPENTER BEE – STEALING NECTAR
CARPENTER BEE WITH POLLEN
CARPENTER BEE
THREATS
Harmful practices (Clearing of natural areas,
Monocultures, Grazing, Pesticides)
Invasion of non-native plant and animals
HAND POLLINATION
GOOD PRACTICES
FORAGING – NESTING - SHELTER
E.g.
Food sources
Create nesting sites
Corridors
Consider blooming seasons (pesticides)
THANKS