Nature is alive and buzzing with life. It is constantly evolving - tweaking its processes and its products. Because it is so dynamic an organism often picks up the slightest of nuances, assess them and recalibrates itself to function efficiently in a given environment. This is one of the premises for the theory of Natural Selection. This segment illustrates the critical role wild bees play in sustaining a healthy ecosystem and the evolutionary advantages native species have over introduced species.
Article Links:
National Public Radio (NPR) Locally adapted versus introduced species:
‘Murdersquishing’ them to death: How little bees take on enormous hornets (Article and illustrations): The title says it all. The illustrations and article are witty and it articulates evolutionary advantages the locally adapted Japanese honeybees have in overcoming their natural predator - the hornet. This is a must read!
National Geographic Commercial pollinators versus wild pollinators:
Honeybees in East Africa resist deadly pathogens (Article): This article highlights the differences in farming practices in Kenya and in the US and the affect of these practices on the health of honeybees. As a result of being able to adapt and evolve in their natural environment the wild bees have a stronger immune system to fight off pathogens compared to commercial pollinators in the US.
Over 4,000 Reasons to Love (and Protect) North America’s Native Bees(Article): North America is home to 4,000 Native Bees species. Native Bees face some of the same threats that commercial bees do, however; no one has taken notice yet. Native bees also known as the wild bee add approximately 3 billion dollars to the US economy.