About half of the U.S. bumble bee species are struggling to survive, but researches cannot pinpoint the exact reason why. |
As if the concern of colony collapse disorder, a mysterious condition that devastates Honey bee colonies seemingly overnight, isn’t worrisome enough to those of us who love our bees in the garden, there is evidence wild pollinators are susceptible to many of the same diseases as Honey bees when they share flowers.
In a December 2010 Penn State University study involving apiaries in Illinois, New York and Pennsylvania, researchers confirmed pathogens can be transmitted from Honey bees to wild pollinators when both use the same pollen source. The 11 wild pollinators studied, including the sweat bee and a bumble bee species, contracted all five of the viruses used in the study.
Researchers took samples of the studied species in proximity to hives that were infected with the viruses as well as ones that were not infected. The results demonstrated that the viruses can move from one species to another via pollen. What the study does not conclude is the overall impact and whether it’s prevalent in an uncontrolled situation.
“Unlike Honey bees, wild native bees are not well monitored,” says Eric Mader, assistant pollinator program director at the Xerces Society, an organization dedicated to the conservation of invertebrates.
Bee losses from pesticides or other reasons largely go unnoticed.
Buzz on Bumble Bees
Bumble bees are a particular concern for home gardeners because they’re well adapted to regional conditions. A separate study published in November 2010 from the University of Illinois notes a sharp decline in several North American bumble bee species.
Sydney Cameron, associate professor of entomology at the University of Illinois, headed the study that looked at eight species of North American bumble bees. Of the eight, four are doing very well while the other populations are struggling; however, the reasons for their decreased populations are not black and white.
During the study, researchers noticed the prevalence of the parasite Nosema bombi was higher in declining populations. But the question is whether the Nosema caused the decline or whether the loss of genetic diversity of a particular group made them more susceptible to it.
“It’s too early to know if it’s a general pattern that will affect other species,” Cameron says.
Overall, the study shed light on alarming findings, but Cameron stresses it’s not a reason to panic. From the potential transmission of pathogens between Honey bees and native species to the loss of habitat and use of pesticides, there’s no easy answer.
Bumble bees are critical because they can forage at much cooler temperatures than many other bees. Mader points out that they’re active in early spring when the blueberries and fruit trees are in bloom.
“They might be the only efficient pollinators getting the job done,” he says.
Bumble bees perform a uniquely important function called “buzz pollination.” A bumble bee grabs the flower and vibrates its entire body at the same frequency as the note of middle C on a tuning fork. This greatly improves production for tomatoes, eggplants and peppers.
“It’s essential for releasing that pollen,” Mader says. “That’s a characteristic Honey bees don’t have.”
Take Action
Although the findings from the Penn State study don’t present immediate real-world applications, it’s important to be kind to your native pollinators.
“There are 4,500 [species of] wild bees [in the U.S.],” Cameron notes. “Honey bees are just one, and they’re not even native.”
While home gardeners can’t shield pollinators from infection or commercial chemical applications, they can do their part by creating a pollinator-friendly habitat.
Avoid pesticides by looking for alternatives to insect problems. Mader recommends utilizing crop rotation, resistant crops and floating row covers to act as a barrier between your plants and the bugs that love them.
He also says, “Think about how you can create undisturbed natural areas.” Most bees nest in the ground (even in rodent burrows), while a handful prefer hollow stems of plants. Mader says a certain level of “benign neglect” is beneficial to the pollinators.
Cameron suggests planting a mix of native flowers to provide a nectar source for emerging queens in the early spring and a steady food source for workers throughout the season.
“One of the hardest times [for wild pollinators] is around August because the flowers are fading,” Cameron says. She recommends planting varieties that bloom until frost and maybe beyond. She also strongly encourages home gardeners to talk to their local nurseries about carrying regionally specific wildflowers.
Although reports of disease transmission from Honey bees to wild pollinators and declining populations of some species are alarming, it’s important to remember to focus on what you can do in your own backyard to lessen the pollinators’ plight.
