If you want to make a case for natural pollinators, it is not with their 
lack.

Mankind exists on a surprisingly small number of cultivated crops and 
the larger problem is that these crops have become more uniform with 
time. Add to that, most all do not need pollinators but are either wind 
pollinated or do-it-themselves.

Where insect pollinators come in is to cause diversity. They do not 
operate by the rules and can cause diversity in outcome. That is what 
"nature" wants since, with diversity comes survival. One plant may be 
susceptible to a specific disease while another of the same species will 
not, so the species survives. With mono-culture and no pollinators to 
add diversity, you invite disease to spread unchecked.

So it is not the number of pollinators that is the real issue, but the 
diversity you get from natural pollinators.

Unfortunately, there are trade-offs. With diversity you can get smaller 
yields and more plants susceptible to disease, pollination fees, and 
non-uniform ripening, just the opposite of what you want as a farmer. 
There is a reason for mono-culture.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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