The Importance of the bees
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Honey bees are part of the Hymenoptera order which includes, Bumble bees, Solitary bees, Wasps, Sawflies and Ants.
what do bees do for us..... "Bees are pollinators vital to our food chain. One third of the food we eat would not be available on our plates if it weren't for bees" In the UK about 70 crops are dependent on, or benefit from, visits from bees. In addition, bees pollinate the flowers of many plants which become part of the feed of farm animals. The economic value of honey bees and bumble bees as pollinators of commercially grown insect pollinated crops in the UK has been estimated at over £200 million per year. Bees are in danger of disappearing from our environment. Farming practices continue to disturb the natural habitats and forage of solitary and bumblebees at a rate which gives them little chance for re-establishment. The honey bee is under attack from the varroa mite and it is only the treatment and care provided by beekeepers that is keeping colonies alive. Most wild honey bee colonies have died out as a result of this disease. Attitudes to bees must change and a new generation needs to be educated into the value of bees and the threats to their existence. *information from the BBKA |