bees

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Psalm 19:10 Learn about bees and other pollinators. Why should we care? Pollinators provide about one of every three bites of food we eat. Do you like honey? How about almonds? Raspberries? Peaches? Avocados? Pumpkins? Bananas? Thank a pollinator. We might not starve without them, but a plate of food would be a lot less palatable. Nearly one-third of our food supply depends on insect pollination, most of which is accomplished by bees.. And while it’s true that some plants are wind-pollinated, many fruits, nuts and vegetables rely on pollinators. About 70 percent of all flowering plants depend on pollinators. The fruits and seeds that result from insect pollination feed nearly one-quarter of all birds and mammals. But pollinators are not only critical for the production of food; they are also essential to most terrestrial ecosystems. Bees aren’t the only pollinators. The list of pollinators is long and includes hummingbirds, moths, wasps, beetles, bats and butterflies — just to name a few! Butterflies spread pollen as they travel from flower to flower, feeding on nectar. They tend to prefer flat, clustered flowers which provide a helpful landing pad. Pollinators are rapidly disappearing. Why are bees and other pollinators in decline? Native bee populations are at risk from habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, pesticides, pests and disease. You can help bees (and other pollinators)! Plant a pollinator garden with native flowers that bloom across different seasons, and offer nesting areas to help bees thrive. Referencehttps://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/7-things-you-should-know-about-bees-and-other-pollinators