While you may be familiar with the importance of honey bees for pollination, you may not be as knowledgeable about the importance of native bees. These bees tend to be loners and don’t get the same press that honey bees do.
But wildlife gardening is all about promoting native plant species, animals, and insects, so let’s put them in the spotlight for a second!
First, just for clarification, anything considered native to your area–and that will vary greatly, sometimes even over a few miles–is a plant, insect, or animal that is designed to be there. Specific plants will feed the specific animals and insects that live there, and native species will thrive, not just survive.
What’s the Problem with Honey Bees?
The problem with all the hubbub about honey bees is that honey bees are not from the United States–they were imported from Europe. Honey bees are akin to herd animals, functioning in groups, (I’ve heard them even referred to as livestock) while native bees are generally more solitary. You know what they say, there’s strength in numbers, and honey bees can pose a significant threat to other species when it comes to resources. Think about it. If pollen sources are spare, who is going to get most of it? Those with the bigger numbers.
Additionally, believe it or not, most native bees are better pollinators than honey bees. In an ongoing study by the US Department of Agriculture on native bee species in New York state apple orchards, native bees are “two to three times better” at pollinating. And with the rise of colony collapse disorder, and various pathogens, viruses, and fungi threatening honey bees, that’s great news. Native bees are less likely to suffer from these problems because of their solitary lifestyle.
Unfortunately, it is still possible for honey bees to pass on some diseases, and with more and more people trying to raise bees, the more likely we are to see an increase native bee disease.
How to Support Native Bees
The way to support native bees is similar to supporting the honey variety. Don’t use pesticides or herbicides, plant more wildflowers indigenous to your area, reduce lawns, and provide habitat that is specific your area. For example, mason bees nest in tube shaped nests, either dried stalks or other plant material, or in store-bought bee houses. Some bees nest in the ground, so try to provide some areas of bare dirt.
In Texas alone, there are about 1,500 species of bees! I’ve identified only six varieties in my yard so far, but I’m hopeful that I will see more as time goes on.
To date, I’ve seen:
- carpenter bees
- digger bees
- mason bees
- bumble bees
- hover flies
- sweat bees
While we may not get honey from native bees, they play an important part in pollinating fruits, vegetables, and nuts, and in our ecosystem overall.
For information on native Texas bees, see https://npsot.org/wp/story/2012/2422/