Bees are some of the most important creatures on the planet. However, bee populations are currently under threat from a range of factors, including habitat loss, pesticides, and disease. In this section, we will explore the importance of bee conservation and the steps that we can all take to protect these vital creatures. We at Boyles Irish Pantry are committed to the protection and promotion of all pollinators in Ireland including our only native honey bee, aspis mellifera mellifera.
Bees are responsible for pollinating a huge proportion of the world’s crops. Without them, many of the foods that we rely on would simply cease to exist. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, bees and other pollinators are responsible for pollinating up to 75% of the world’s food crops, including fruits, vegetables and nuts. In addition, bees play a vital role in maintaining the health and biodiversity of our natural environment by pollinating wildflowers and other plants.
Despite their importance, bee populations are currently facing a range of threats. Habitat loss is one of the biggest factors contributing to the decline in bee populations. As urban areas expand and agricultural land use intensifies, bees are losing the natural habitats that they rely on. In addition, pesticides and other chemicals used in agriculture can have harmful effects on bees, leading to reduced immunity, reproductive problems, and even death.
Disease is another major threat to bee populations. Varroa mites, in particular, have been responsible for the deaths of millions of honeybees worldwide. Climate change is also having an impact on bee populations, as rising temperatures and changes in weather patterns disrupt their natural cycles.
In Ireland due to the changes in farming practices wild habitat for bees and pollinator has declined massively with the growth of our economy. Traditionally most farming lands were divided up into small fields sectioned off by tree lines and hedge rows, advancements in farming practices and increased size/cost of machinery means larger open fields are the only viable option these days. Progress does always come at a cost but with education and awareness we can all take steps in the right direction.
Conserving bees is vital for maintaining the health and biodiversity of our natural environment, as well as ensuring food security. By protecting bee populations, we can help safeguard the ecosystems that they support, and ensure that our crops continue to be pollinated.
There are a number of steps that individuals, businesses, and governments can take to help conserve bees. These include:
By taking these steps, we can help to protect the vital role that bees play in maintaining the health and biodiversity of our planet.
In Ireland we have 100 known bee species. They consist of 78 species of solitary bee, 21 bumblebee and only one native honey bee. This powerful work force is responsible for the pollination of our wild native plant species and holding our biodiverse environment together. As a direct benefit these underappreciated creatures are the reason we are able to produce crops such as blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, apples, blackcurrants, pumpkins and oil seed rape to name a few.
Ireland has one native honey bee. AMM was at one stage the major bee species across Europe. Over the centuries its prevalence slowly dismissed due to movement, importation and hybridization of different species. Today they consist of a few pockets where the genetics of the species remains high. Ireland is one of those pockets. Being an island has helped retain high AMM genetic pools. These honey bees are perfectly adapted to our seasons and climate. Sadly, importation of different species has increased over the last ten to twenty years and hybridization of our native Irish honey bee has become a constant battle for those of us that want to protect it. As members of NIHBS (native Irish honey bee society) we raise new AMM queens each year to sell to other beekeepers promoting their genetics, we keep meticulous records on our colonies and we replace queens in colonies showing hybridization problems.
If you are a beekeeper looking for mated AMM queen shop here
2023 Mated Native Irish Honey Bee Queens
Bees are some of the most important creatures on the planet, playing a vital role in pollinating our crops and maintaining the health and biodiversity of our natural environment. However, bee populations are currently facing a range of threats, including habitat loss, pesticides, and disease. By taking steps to protect bee populations, we can help to ensure that our ecosystems continue to thrive, and that our food supply remains secure. Whether you’re a gardener, a farmer, or simply someone who cares about the environment, there are many ways that you can get involved in bee conservation and help to protect these vital creatures.
