On Garden Pollinators

[robby]

 Over the years, I've noticed that my garden has a range of different pollinators. Sure, the European honey bees do show up, but it's for the big events, like almond or lemon trees in blossom. Less glamorous pollinators, like native bumble bees and various flies do the everyday pollination of my squash, eggplant and plum trees. 

Here's a link to an article that describes the connection between the honey bee and modern agriculture, and points out that in a thriving diverse ecosystem (like our gardens) we still can rely on the more natural range of pollinators.

www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/06/13/532729268/why-honeybees-are-the-wrong-problem-to-solve

Comments

[lilacsigil]

In Australia the buzz pollinators are the native blue banded bee which I have many of in my garden. I was stung by one and was terribly sad that the bee would die, but as it turns out they are not killed by stinging and the bee was fine!

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

Yes, this is true of bumblebees in North America, stinging isn't lethal for them so they will do it if you're too close to the burrow. I've gotten better at realizing the signs.