Honey bees and Native pollinators.

Before honey bees were introduced, I presume in the fairly pristine environment that existed there
were many and diverse native pollinators.

But as the agricultural revolution rolled over the land and irrevocably altered most in its path,
natural pollinators were displaced out of large swaths of tilled land.

Add to this, the constant application of pesticides which ate into remaining populations,
and the need for high levels of pollination at condensed and specific periods.
The result is that natural populations of native pollinating insects are unable to cope.

The planting of  thousands of hectares with monoculture has reduced the agricultural system to a
dependency  on an artificially supported insect species - Apis mellifera (L.)

In the absence of colonies of these bees - a  certain percentage of required pollination by native
pollinators would take place - that is granted!

But, a critical short fall would be present - from which dependent agricultural practices would not
be able to supply our needs.

Even when other " more efficient pollinators" attuned to a particular task are employed (such as the

use of leaf cutters in Alfalfa pollination) - they are still unable to replace the honey bee in the
overall picture.

Native pollinators are essential - maintaining bio diversity levels, but at present, have little
strategic role that is comparable to our honey bees.



Peter