In today’s world of mechanized agriculture, pollinating services are a commodity. Without a sufficient number of bees, certain crops could cease to grow. As a result, managed honeybees are now traded internationally. Unfortunately, this practice is making our wild pollinators sick.
Studies have shown honeybees carry a range of diseases, including deformed wing virus, which is commonly found in the U.S. and U.K. Wild bumblebees, which are already in steep decline, contract the debilitating virus from managed honeybees. It significantly shortens their lifespan.
Honeybees carry a slew of other diseases, including black queen cell virus, sacbrood virus, and Israeli acute paralysis virus, all of which can be spread to native pollinators. This is a concern because these beneficial insects already face significant threats, like habitat loss and exposure to pesticides.
If we are to retain healthy populations of both managed honeybees and native pollinators, more attention needs to be given to the role honeybees play as reservoirs for disease. In the United States, the value of wild pollinator services has been estimated at $3 billion dollars per year. It’s a resource worth protecting.
Honeybee trade is overseen by the World Organisation for Animal Health, which has regulations in place to control the spread of disease. But scientists say stricter hygiene regulations are needed to keep native pollinator populations healthy and robust.
Do your part this spring by turning a piece of your lawn into a pollinator garden. And avoid spraying pesticides whenever possible.
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Web Links
Bumblebees infected with honeybee diseases
Honeybee trade is hotbed for carrying disease into wild
Photo, taken September 22, 2007, courtesy of Nick Perla via Flickr.
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Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Support for Earth Wise comes from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY.