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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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Subject:
From:
Peter Loring Borst <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 10 Dec 2016 20:27:23 -0500
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Typical article, riddled with errors. 

They state: Bees are the primary pollinators for US crops. Melons, oranges, broccoli, almonds—you name it, and it probably requires bees.

Broccoli doesn't need bees to produce the part we eat; it does require pollination to set seed. 

The construction of the broccoli flower is such that many kinds of insects can reach the pollen and nectar, including honey bees, wild bees, and flies.

Oranges don't need pollination to produce fruit, only seeds. Most people prefer oranges without seeds.

Clementines lose their desirable seedless characteristic when they are cross-pollinated with other oranges. To prevent this, in 2006 growers such as Paramount Citrus in California threatened to sue local beekeepers to keep bees away from their crops.

As far as "you name it" goes, one could list hundreds of food crops that don't require animal pollination.

Some of them are self-pollinated, others are wind pollinated. This category includes the three crops that comprise 60% of all humanity's food energy. 

Of the 15 staple crops that provide over 90% of food energy, NONE of them use honeybees for fertilization, even if they're available. They are mostly grains, tubers, and sterile fruits like plaintains and bananas.

PLB

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