We all depend on the survival of bees, and to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators and the role they play in global food production, the United Nations designated May 20th as World Bee Day. This year's theme is “Bee Inspired by Nature to Nourish Us All,” highlighting the vital role pollinators play in food systems around the world and in our planet’s ecosystem. It’s important to recognize how crucial bees are to our world, as human activities are increasingly endangering bees and other pollinators, including butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds.
Pollinators, especially bees, are the backbone of agriculture; they are essential to crop production across Nebraska. We wouldn’t be known for agriculture if it weren't for bees, as honey bees pollinate more than 90 cultivated crops with a combined annual value of $10 billion, according to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
Why Bees Matter:
Pollinators are crucial for ecosystems, global biodiversity conservation, and food security. They are essential for the reproduction of nearly 90% of wild flowering plant species, support over 75% of the world's food crops, and impact approximately 35% of global agricultural land. There are more than 200,000 pollinator species globally, the vast majority of which include butterflies, birds, bats, and over 20,000 species of bees.
Bees and other pollinators reflect the health of our environment, offering valuable insights into ecosystems and climate conditions. Protecting these pollinators is crucial for boosting biodiversity and supporting vital ecosystem functions, including soil fertility, natural pest management, and the regulation of air and water quality.
According to the National Library of Medicine, bee-pollinated crops account for approximately one-third of the total human food supply. The economic impact of global pollination was estimated to be worth 9.5% of the world’s agricultural production of human food in 2005. Insect-pollinated crops are led by vegetables and fruits, followed by edible oil crops (such as soybeans, seeds, and palm oil), stimulants (coffee, tea, cocoa, and tobacco), nuts, and spices in terms of economic value. Globally, honey bees, native bees, and flies pollinate 48 of the world’s most valuable crops each season, making a substantial contribution to the global economy. In the United States, for example, pollination generates $16 billion annually, with honey bees accounting for $12 billion of that total.
According to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Nebraska's agriculture relies heavily on bee pollination for a variety of crops. Seed crops such as alfalfa, vetch (a legume), sweet clover, and sunflower depend on bees. Additionally, numerous fruits and vegetables, including watermelons, cucumbers, cantaloupe, pumpkins, apples, cherries, and pears, benefit significantly from bee pollination.
Nebraska’s Native Bees and Beekeeping Culture:
According to Nebraskaland Magazine, there are two categories of bee lifestyles: solitary and social. The only social bee species that lives in traditional hives in Nebraska is the western honey bee. The bumble bee is another well-known social species but unlike other social bees that live in hives, bumble bees live in nests. Social bees live together in a nest and share tasks such as caring for the young and gathering food. They have a caste system, where their roles are determined by the diet they received during development.
While most of us usually picture social bees in hives, most pollinator bees are solitary. Solitary bees may nest, but not in colonies like social bees, and they are divided into two categories: wood nesters and ground nesters. Around 30% of Nebraska’s native bee species are wood nesters, while about 70% nest underground.
Some Native Bees in Our State Include:
- Large Carpenter Bees: These look similar to bumble bees but are less “fuzzy.” They are skilled woodworkers that make circular holes in untreated wood about ½ an inch thick.
- Cuckoo Bees: Resembling wasps and varying in color, females take over the nests of other bees and make it appear as if they had always been there.
- Mason Bees: A diverse group of solitary bees that are excellent pollinators, especially for commercial crops. They nest in a variety of places and are considered at-risk species.
According to Farm Progress, honey bees are essential to Nebraska's agriculture. They are unique in their widespread use for targeted pollination across a diverse array of plant species, surpassing the management and relocation capabilities of any other insect pollinator.
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that, in 2021, Nebraska's self-reporting producers indicated approximately 39,000 honey bee colonies and over 1.8 million pounds of honey produced.
Challenges Bees Face in Nebraska:
According to the Paleontological Research Institute, bee populations have been declining in recent decades both globally and in the United States. In 2007, honey bees in the U.S. began to disappear at an alarming rate, causing major losses for commercial beekeepers. This brought attention to the Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), the importance of pollinators, human impacts on their health, and the serious consequences of their potential loss. The decline of pollinators due to human activities has significant implications.
Honey bees aren’t the only bees at risk. At least 45% of Europe’s bumblebee populations are in decline due to habitat fragmentation and the loss of foraging plants. In North America, four bumblebee species are declining and one is already extinct. Approximately 49 bee species in eastern North America are in decline, and very little is known about the conservation status of solitary bees.
The most pressing threats to long-term bee survival include:
- Changing Climate
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Invasive plants and bees
- Low genetic diversity
- Pathogens spread by commercially managed bees
- Pesticides
According to Nebraska Public Media, this decline is being seen firsthand in Nebraska. A recent survey found that Nebraska beekeepers lost around 10,000 hives - about 67% of commercial colonies in the past year. Brad Plantz, who runs a small beekeeping operation called Country Road Farms in Morse Bluff, lost 72% of his colonies this year. The cause of these unpredictable and severe losses is difficult to determine.
How to Bee Supportive to Pollinators
Tips to Save Bees from the Bee Conservancy:
- Support areas dedicated to bee habitats and pollinator gardens. Parks and nature reserves are important, but even small efforts help. Consider replacing lawns with wildflower meadows, native gardens, or flowering lawn alternatives. Even planting bee-friendly flowers in window boxes, pots, or vegetable gardens makes a difference.
- Minimize pesticide use: Synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals can harm bees.
- Choose bee-friendly plants: Support pollinators by planting native, pollen and nectar-rich species. Many bee species are specially adapted to feed on these native flowers.
- Support underground bees: Since 70% of bees nest underground, avoid over-mulching and leave bare soil patches for nesting.
- Plant trees for bees: Flowering trees offer abundant blooms, especially in early spring, and provide bees with food, nesting materials like resin and leaves, and shelter in natural wood cavities.
- Provide stems for bees: About 30% of the world's bees nest in cavities. Leave cut logs for carpenter bees, and cut pithy plant stems to 18–24 inches in the fall to create nesting spots.
The Bee Lab at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), located on East Campus within the Department of Entomology, focuses on research and extension education to understand and mitigate stressors impacting both wild and managed bee health. Headed by Dr. Judy Wu-Smart, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, the lab’s mission is to provide scientific knowledge to beekeepers, landowners, and homeowners in support of healthy bee populations.
Students in the lab actively explore environmental and biological challenges, such as pests and pathogens, that affect bee populations. In addition to research, the lab hosts educational programs, beekeeping training, community outreach, and service events.
Bee A Good Citizen:
The importance of bees and pollinators underscores their vital role in food systems and ecosystem health in Nebraska and around the world. I encourage readers to take at least one small action this World Bee Day and to remain mindful of pollinators every day:
- Plant a pollinator-friendly garden
- Support local honey and bee products
- Reduce pesticide use and help spread awareness
- Check out tonight’s event “Buzzing Biodiversity” at 5:30 PM
Check out our Past Webinars on Nebraska Bees and Pollinators:
