Latest buzz on bees

TABLE TALK

AUSTRALIA could very well be described as the last refuge for the world’s bees. Not only is our continent home to nearly one tenth of all the world’s bee species and an even greater proportion of the total population, far more importantly it is the only place on the planet where the Colony Collapse Disorder has not yet occurred. Colony Collapse is a profound decimation of hives that has occurred sporadically through history, yet never with the intensity or gravity we see today. Triggered by a combination of pesticides and a proliferating invasive mite, it causes malformations in the bees’ wings rendering them unable to fly, meaning that entire hives slowly starve. And it’s not only commercial honeybees that can be affected. Smaller and locally distinct species can be just as significantly affected. The results, unsurprisingly, begin to mount up quickly. Fewer bees means less honey, but also lower pollination rates for the plants. This, unfortunately, means that fewer flowers appear in the following year, as the downward cycle continues. While we may be unable to help with the impacts on commercial beekeeping, there are important steps we can each take in our own community. Reduce your use of pesticides. Plant native shrubs and trees, especially flowering ones. And let your state and federal representatives know that you demand the maintenance of local green spaces, and possibly the addition of some extra ones. Lastly, be prepared to pay a reasonable price for real Australian honey. Some imported honey makes it onto our shelves, and it’s not always clearly labelled.