Pollination services & bees

POLLINATION

pollen is transferred in the reproduction of plants, thereby enabling fertilization and sexual reproduction.

> 3/4 of food crops require pollinators

20% Abiotic

80% Biotic

Bees, butterflies, flies, bats, birds, rodents, etc.

BEES

> 1mln insects named

Exoskeleton, 3 pairs of legs, compound eyes, one pair of antenna

>20,000 bee species, est. 7-9 families

6 families in Africa: 1. Colletidae

2. Andrenidae

3. Megachilidae

4. Halictidae

5. Apidae

6. Melittidae

BEES

BEE

HONEY BEE

Generalists

Rent out hives

Honey production

Some carry pollen

(for “building” – close, as pollen is collected

more quickly), others nectar (far).

Threat: mites, fungi, Colony Collapse Disorder

TOMATOES

Wind

Mechanical

shaking

Bees

STINGLESS BEES (SIZE FROM 2MM)

CARPENTER BEE (SIZE EVEN 2.5CM)

CARPENTER BEE – STEALING NECTAR

CARPENTER BEE WITH POLLEN

CARPENTER BEE

THREATS

Harmful practices (Clearing of natural areas,

Monocultures, Grazing, Pesticides)

Invasion of non-native plant and animals

HAND POLLINATION

GOOD PRACTICES

FORAGING – NESTING - SHELTER

E.g.

Food sources

Create nesting sites

Corridors

Consider blooming seasons (pesticides)

THANKS