Honey Bees: Are They at Threat in US?

The number of honey bees as well as their colonies has been declining nowadays, particularly in U.S. Though they might be considered as insects while they attack families on a holiday, they actually have a significant position in farming and the financial system.

Honey bees and their significance

Honey bees play a significant role in producing honey as well as crop cultivation. They hold a remarkable position in the method of pollination. In case the sufficient numbers of bees are not available during pollination, heavy losses will arise.

In U.S.A, the honey bees account for 80% of the total flowering yield. They assist in the cultivation of fruits, olives, cucumbers, nuts, soybeans, legume seeds, cotton as well as sprouts of alfalfa.

USA and the decrease in honey bees

There is a threat to the honey bee family. The probable reasons for their death includes the use of pesticides, radiations from the mobile phones and because they are being grown by unprofessional people.

Colony Collapse Disorder can also be taken as an additional cause. This happens when the bees exit from their hives in an odd manner and never come back to them. It could be said that they become sick and die when this happens.

Since bees live collectively, it is odd to note that they go away from the hive and don't come back. There is no proof for their death in the vicinity of the hives. In addition to this, they leave their young ones as well as the queen bee behind. They disappear within no time. This is because they store sufficient quantity of honey in the hive.

Varroa mites seem to be the probable source of CCD. These parasites assault hives and just suck the fluids of the honey bees. This makes the bees weak and so they become prone to contamination.

The decrease in the bees and the CCD affliction would make the bee population to become extinct in about ten years if adequate measures are not adopted. The tribulation is that if the honey bees are not there to assist in the process of pollination, the farming industry will suffer a major setback.

The decrease in honey bees would lead to a decrease in the produce and the financial condition in particular. If the honey crops decrease by 20%, it would mean that the honey lost would be equal to 31 million pounds. The impact is realistic and would be a major setback.

Malta's bee population

Malta which is also known as the land of honey has a bee population that is huge. Malta would be the perfect setting for bees because of the humid climate and thick growth of plants. Malta is renowned for its huge bee pollination as well as production of honey. This island is also famous for its holiday destinations and quality hotels in the whole ofEurope.

Fortunately the decrease in the population of bees in Malta is not as much as that in USA. The honey bees in Malta are faintly different from those in the USA. Yellow stripes are not found in the bees of Malta. Instead, brown or black colored bees are found.

They are full of life and look as if they have a good resistance power when compared to the bees in USA. They also seem to resist certain pesticides that might affect the bees in USA.

Anticipation of rejuvenating the bee population in USA

Finances have been arranged by Congress in order to investigate the predicament of the disappearance of the bees in USA. The protection and improvement of bee hives has been encouraged even as investigators are looking at the cause and the remedy of the decreasing bee family.

You will have to reflect on this when you try to kill a bee that swarms on your food. Understanding is the preliminary step in bringing about a constructive change in the catastrophe of the honey bee inEuropeas well asNorth America.

Sources :
www.voanews.com/english/2007-03-29-voa60.cfm
www.guardian.co.uk/environment/.../conservation.wildlife1
www.cosmosmagazine.com/node/1087