HONEY
BEES
Most people must surely have heard of the plight of the Honey Bees (Apis mellifera). In the U.S. where it is a large business - with bees being transported hundreds of miles to pollinate crops such as fruit - the commercial apiarists have suffered enormous losses with their hives. In some cases, dead insects are found on the ground but, in many places, the bees have just disappeared.
In the U.K. apiarists have suffered mainly due to the parasitic Varroa mite. The theory is that the nicotine derived chemicals used in seed dressings pass through the plant to the flowers and, when the bees visit the flowers for nectar and pollen, they acquire some of the chemical. This affects their immune system so they are less able to withstand the attack of the mites. Naturally, the agro-chemical industry rejects this theory. There is some evidence that hives in urban situations have fewer problems.
What can one do to assist with the pollination of our fruit, vegetables and flowers? Something everyone can do is plant flowers which have a great attraction and value to bees. Not only honey bees but also bumble bees, which are out and about earlier and later than honey bees.
Unfortunately, many of our showy garden plants produce little or no pollen due to selection for colour. For example, pansies, petunias, busy-lizzies and begonias have lost their original function, i.e. to attract pollinating insects.
Most people must surely have heard of the plight of the Honey Bees (Apis mellifera). In the U.S. where it is a large business - with bees being transported hundreds of miles to pollinate crops such as fruit - the commercial apiarists have suffered enormous losses with their hives. In some cases, dead insects are found on the ground but, in many places, the bees have just disappeared.
In the U.K. apiarists have suffered mainly due to the parasitic Varroa mite. The theory is that the nicotine derived chemicals used in seed dressings pass through the plant to the flowers and, when the bees visit the flowers for nectar and pollen, they acquire some of the chemical. This affects their immune system so they are less able to withstand the attack of the mites. Naturally, the agro-chemical industry rejects this theory. There is some evidence that hives in urban situations have fewer problems.
What can one do to assist with the pollination of our fruit, vegetables and flowers? Something everyone can do is plant flowers which have a great attraction and value to bees. Not only honey bees but also bumble bees, which are out and about earlier and later than honey bees.
Unfortunately, many of our showy garden plants produce little or no pollen due to selection for colour. For example, pansies, petunias, busy-lizzies and begonias have lost their original function, i.e. to attract pollinating insects.
Instead grow traditional garden plants and
native wildflowers.
We have already lost one species of bumble bee so it is important that we try to provide a source of food right through the season from March to September.
One of their favourite flowers is the Vipers bugloss which looks stunning in a border and positively drips nectar. The list of suitable plants is too long to list here but can be obtained from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, School of Biological Sciences, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA
or from their website - bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk
A book is available for £3. (incl.p&p) entitled “Gardening for Bumblebees” by Prof. Goulson from the Trust.
Even if you only have a window box you can plant something useful !
John Naylor, former resident and visitor to the Reserves
Note – If you want to see plants that are helping bees locally, then visit the Butterfly Garden on the Lingfield Reserves. Many trees, like the Lime and Hazel, that have been planted in other parts of the Nature Reserves, are also helping. The Lime gives pollen when it flowers; later in the year bees collect honeydew from aphids that live on its leaves.
The British Beekeepers' Association
We have already lost one species of bumble bee so it is important that we try to provide a source of food right through the season from March to September.
One of their favourite flowers is the Vipers bugloss which looks stunning in a border and positively drips nectar. The list of suitable plants is too long to list here but can be obtained from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, School of Biological Sciences, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA
or from their website - bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk
A book is available for £3. (incl.p&p) entitled “Gardening for Bumblebees” by Prof. Goulson from the Trust.
Even if you only have a window box you can plant something useful !
John Naylor, former resident and visitor to the Reserves
Note – If you want to see plants that are helping bees locally, then visit the Butterfly Garden on the Lingfield Reserves. Many trees, like the Lime and Hazel, that have been planted in other parts of the Nature Reserves, are also helping. The Lime gives pollen when it flowers; later in the year bees collect honeydew from aphids that live on its leaves.
The British Beekeepers' Association