Wild bees remain very unknown, despite the fact that they contribute to the pollination of more than 75% of the wild and cultivated plants on our wide -grabs. The bee They are responsible for the production of seeds and fruits of many plants that we consumeSuch as almonds, beans, peaches, strawberries, zucchini or bell pepper.
Many people think that everything bee They live in colonies with a queen, many employees and some drones. Anyway, Most bee species are lonely. That is, they are not hives or swarms or produce honey like the famous APIS Mellifera.
For most species, Females nest in small excavations built on the floor or wood. Moreover, there are species many sizes, from a few millimeters to 3 centimeters long.
The enormous importance of wild bees
Large, small, hairy or clear, wild bees, more than 1,000 species only in Spain, life threatened by the loss of habitat and climate changeAnd although the decrease in the populations remains a global care, there is still hope for their recovery, especially for those who adapt to life in Humanized environments.
On the occasion of World Bees Day 2025, and under the slogan “Inspired by nature to feed us all”United Nations (UN) appreciated the well power of these pollinators, a direct reflection of the ecological, food and social health of society.
Serious threats
In an interview, Ignasi Bartomeus, a researcher at the Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC), influenced The problems that affect bees, such as the increase in temperatures worldwide, forcing these insects to look for fresher areas to surviveThe use of pesticides and the change of forests and meadows, through cultivation and city fields.
Under the Wild bees There are a scenario of many losers and only a few are winners of global change, That is, “those who can be adapted to live in environments where people live,” Bartomeus explained.
Unknown some of the most important characteristics for part of society, for example, the researcher has mentioned have many sizes, of very large ones, such as some species of bees (Xylocopa Violacea, 3 cm long), to very smallas species of the micrandrennic group (0.3 cm long).
Moreover – the expert clarified – despite the conviction that All bees live in colonies with a queen, many more employees and some zánganos, most species of these pollinators live aloneThey do not form hives or swarms and in many cases they do not produce honey, but they are very important for plants.
Slope
They follow bee Did in the world deteriorate and in particular in Spain?
– It is complicated Know the state of bees worldwide, because we have little data. Het is noodzakelijk om de trends van de honingbij te onderscheiden, die, die door de imkers wordt beheerd, stabiele of opwaartse trends heeft (niet omdat het een paar bedreigingen heeft, maar omdat er elke dag meer bijenteelt zijn), van de trends van de trends van de trends van de trends van de trends van de trends van de trends van de trends van de trends van de trends van de trends of the trends of bee Silvestres
Implications
What are the consequences of the decrease in your populations?
– Las Bees are important to pollinate plants and pay fruit. Not only wild plants depend on them, but many crops such as tomatoes or peaches.
Threats
And his most important threats?
-The Loss of Habitat has been the most important factor, although climate change already influences them. Insects do not regulate their temperature as people, and therefore their metabolism goes to the rhythm of the external temperature, and this influences when they are activated to their size.
Economic
The decrease in this also implies a strong economic impact on agriculture and beekeeping?
– Yes, in the areaIntensive agriculture S (large monocultures, without narrow natural habitat and the use of pesticides) have been documented agricultural production losses Between 10 percent and 40 percent, depending on the crop due to lack of pollinators.
Protection
What can be done to protect them and to increase awareness in society?
– Las Bees are not difficult to retain, because they can bloom in little spaceBut require natural spaces with native and chemical plants.
Esperanza
Is there hope in your recovery?
– I think so. An important thing is that few extinctions have been documented, that means that if we leave them some space, they can recover. The most important threats are shared with many other animals and with ourselves. Freinging climate change is in our hands and is just as important to us as for bees.
Restoration
What are the most important restoration measures?
– The most important thing is Do not destroy ecosystems and give them space. Nature is more resilient From what it seems when it gives space and time. EFE / ECOTICIA.COM