Chacko Anthony SJ
When honeybees come to our mind, we naturally think of honey. Because, it sweetens our taste buds!
But there are other more important facts: honeybees are important part of our bio-diversity and eco-balance.
They are pollinators who help and promote food production for humans and other beings alike. A great part of our agricultural production benefits from bee pollination. Some species of plants can be pollinated only by a special species of bees.
Bees help maintain plant diversity. Without bees, ecosystems are at risk.
Nectar from flowers is carried by the bee in its stomach. Then it is transferred from mouth to mouth to honey making bees in the hive. A single bee makes one tablespoon of honey in its lifetime.
A hive of bees will fly over 55,000 miles to make one pound of honey and can create 100 pounds in a year. The honeybee is the only insect that produces food eaten by human beings.
Threats to their life: destruction of their habitat, Mobile towers not allowing bees around, intensive farming, use of pesticides, deforestation. Climatic changes, etc.
Only female bee can sting. She may have reason for it. So, be careful.