This article was previously published on May 20, 2019 and has been updated with new information.
Two years ago, in December 2017, the United Nations General Assembly declared May 20 every year as World Bee Day.first The resolution is the result of an initiative started in 2015 by the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators, all of which are under threat. threatened with extinction due to a variety of toxic human activities.2
As explained by the UN,3 May 20 was chosen because it “coincides with the birth date of Anton Janša, who in the 18th century pioneered modern beekeeping techniques in his native Slovenia and praised bees for their ability to work. hard work, while needing very little attention.”
While wasps may be the most recognized, there are in fact between 25,000 and 30,000 different species of bees globally. On the website of the Center for Food Safety4 You can find a list of some of the most common species, such as sweat bees, peach bees, carpenter bees, cuckoo bees, longhorn wasps and many more.
More than 75% of the world’s food crops depend on these and other pollinators, in whole or in part, as does 90% of wild flowering plant species.5 Furthermore, over the past 50 years, crop yields that depend on pollinators have increased by 300%.6
As such, “Caring for bees and other pollinators is part of the fight against world hunger,” says the United Nations.7 It is important to protect and maintain biodiversity among bee species to ensure agricultural resilience.
Global Biodiversity Report Warns of Troubled Times Ahead
First report8 on the “State of World Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture” of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, issued in April 2019, warns that biodiversity is declining globally, thereby threatening global food production and human survival.
All life forms – animals, plants and microorganisms needed for food, feed, fuel and fiber – are losing diversity. As reported by worldbeeday.org:9
“Of the approximately 6,000 species of agricultural crops, less than 200 contribute to global food production, and only nine of those species account for 66% of total crop production. World livestock production is based on about 40 species. animals, with only a few providing mostly meat, milk and eggs. Catch is being exceeded by a third of fish stocks, while more than half have reached the limit of sustainability…
At the meeting of the FAO Committee on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, the European Area proposed that the results of this report be incorporated into the biodiversity strategy outlined by FAO.
Some countries have suggested that countries should respond to the report’s main conclusions by incorporating the findings and content into national policies, legislation, programs and projects in diverse areas. bioinformatics in agriculture, forestry and food, appropriate to their capabilities, and at the same time there is also an urgent need to develop further measures to implement the conclusions from the report.
The report will also be important to discuss the global framework for biodiversity as part of the Post-2020 Convention on Biological Diversity and to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. “
Another global assessment reportten pollinators, pollinators and food producers, released in 2016 by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystems (IPBES), an estimated 16% of pollinators Vertebrates around the world are threatened with extinction, as are 30% of the island species. According to IPBES vice president, Sir Robert Watson:11
“Wild pollinators in certain regions, especially bees and butterflies, are threatened by a variety of factors. Their decline is mainly due to changes in land use, agricultural intensification and pesticide use, invasive alien species, diseases and pests, and climate change.”
Bee species are in decline across the Northwestern US
Similarly, researchers at the University of New Hampshire warn of a “significant decline” in 14 species of wild bees needed for the pollination of apples, blueberries, cranberries and other crops. in the Northwest.twelfth Sandra Rehan, assistant professor of biological sciences, told Science Daily:13
“We know that wild bees are at risk and underperforming worldwide. This assessment of the status of wild bees sheds light on species that are in exact decline, in addition to the recorded wasp species. Because these species play a major role in crop pollination, it raises concerns about the impact on the production of staple crops and the general food supply.
We’ve found that wild bees that once inhabited many areas south of sea level are declining. While north in higher mountain regions, like the White Mountains, similar species persist, it’s an indication of how climate change is affecting certain populations, particularly is in the Seacoast area. “
Using museum data spanning 125 years (1891 to 2016), researchers analyzed the prevalence of 119 wild bee species that are native to New Hampshire but also common across the entire Northeast and North America. .
Fourteen of the species have declined significantly while eight have increased significantly. Of the 14 degraded species, 13 are terrestrial nests and one is wormholes. Overall, both declining and increasing species have migrated northward over the past 125 years, suggesting that climate changes are a driving factor.
‘Bee-safe’ pesticides are bad for bees, study finds
In related news, the insecticide Sivanto (flupyradifurone), which its manufacturer, Bayer CropScience, claims is completely safe for bees, may not be as safe. A yearlong investigation14 of the University of California (UC) San Diego shows that Bayer’s trial appears to have ruled out common use cases that lead to abnormal behavior and increased mortality in exposed bees.
Sivanto, developed to replace the neonicotinoid insecticide, which is known to cause bee death, was registered for commercial use in 2014 and is currently available in 30 countries including the United States and the United States. Africa, Asia and Europe. Another 65 countries are also expected to give Sivanto the green light.
The “bee-safe” classification allows Sivanto to be sprayed on crops that are in bloom with bees actively feeding. However, according to the study, pesticides “can in fact pose a variety of threats to honey bees depending on the season, the age of the bees, and their use in combination with common chemicals such as insecticides.” mushrooms,” the press release states.15
The video above shows the unusual lack of activity and lack of motor coordination in the exposed bees. As noted in the press release, the researchers:16
“… Shows that a real, worst-case scenario of Sivanto in the field, in combination with a common fungicide, can cause aggregate harm to bee behavior and survival, depending on season and age. The bees were more likely to die – compared with the control groups observed under normal conditions – and exhibit unusual behaviors, including poor coordination, hyperactivity, and lethargy.”
Pesticides need more rigorous risk assessment
More importantly, while official guidelines for pesticide risk assessment focus on testing bees inside hives, the researchers found that foraging bees are actually more susceptible to more harmful, partly because they are more likely to be exposed and partly because of their age. Smaller honey bees work inside the swarm while the larger ones feed outside the hive.
In the case of Sivanto, the harm to foraging bees is four times greater than to bees in the hive. Needless to say, this still threatens the health of the entire colony. Harm was also greater for both types of worker bees in the summer than in the spring.
“According to the authors, standard measurements of lethal effects alone are not sufficient to assess the complexity of pesticide effects,” the press release notes.17 Lead researcher Simone Tosi, who works at ANSES, the French agency for Food & Safety, Environment and Occupation, commented:18
“This work is a step towards better understanding the risks that pesticides can pose to bees and the environment. Our results highlight the importance of assessing the effects of pesticides. on animal behavior and demonstrate that synergism, seasonality, and age of bees are the key factors that subtly alter pesticide toxicity.”
James Nieh, professor of biological sciences at UC San Diego, added:19
“Since the standard risk assessment requires relatively limited trials that address only a small amount of bee behavior and do not consider the effects of bee age and season, these results raise concerns about the safety of bees.” Safety of many approved pesticides, not just Sivanto.
This study suggests that pesticide risk assessments should be refined to determine the impact of common pesticide cocktails on bee behavior and survival… The idea that pesticides This worm is a silver bullet in the sense that it kills all the bad but preserves the good which is fascinating but deserves some caution. “
How to Celebrate World Bee Day and Protect Bees Every Day
On worldbeeday.org, some suggestions on how kindergartens and schools can get involved and celebrate World Bee Day with educational activities.20 For example, schools are encouraged to team up with local beekeeping associations to organize a visit to a local beekeeper, where children can learn about bees and honey plants. , honey production and how to set up a hive.
On a more personal basis, there are several things you can do to help protect our pollinators, not just on World Bee Day but on a daily basis. Here are some suggestions made by worldbeeday.org:21
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Plant nectar-bearing flowers in your garden, yard or balcony to help bees eat and remember to avoid using toxic pesticides and herbicides that can hurt pollinators! If you have a farm, big or small, make sure to incorporate flowers that support wild bee populations. The following video, made by the Integrated Crop Pollination Project, demonstrates helpful growing methods. |
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Buy honey and other hive products from local beekeepers to help them stay in business. |
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Teach your children about the importance of bees and beekeepers. |
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Set up a hive. |
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Conserve grasslands and seed wildflowers in your garden, making sure the wildflower mix you choose contains flowers that are native to your area. Non-native plants do not contribute much to the care and feeding of local insects, as they cannot adapt and eat whatever is available. Hybrid plants also do not provide proper nutrition, and can be likened to “junk food” for insects, as they do not provide much in terms of nutrition.22 |
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Wait to mow the lawn until the nectar-bearing plants have finished blooming so as not to rob the bees of an important source of nutrients. |
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Avoid the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides. Even when using a non-toxic product, be sure to spray it when there is little or no wind, and in the early morning or late night, when bees are not actively feeding. |
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Plants that are in bloom and those that have to be sprayed with pesticides should be covered with tarpaulins before spraying to avoid attracting bees. |
