Anthophila: Beeyond the Sting
Anthophila, more commonly known as bees, are a species that are encountered nearly every day, yet, are taken for granted. While they are often over looked or feared due to the reputation of their deadly cousin, the African Honey Bee, bees are relatively unprotected when compared to other nearly endangered species. Bees play a vital role in our ecosystem by directly pollinating one-third of the food consumed today. Habitat loss, rising temperatures, disease, and the overuse of pesticides world–wide have led to a decline in bee populations as well as other imperative pollinators. These human inflicted changes pose an insurmountable task bees currently face on their own. As a keystone species, bees play an indispensable role in both the world’s environments and economies. Preventative and restoration measures such as habitat rehabilitation, addressing global climate change, and restricting the overuse and abuse of pesticides are all viable ways in which the population decline can be slowed and eventually ceased.
BIOL 499, Capstone
Paul Allee
L204
1:30 – 2:00 PM