Can we replace bees?

The job is usually done by natural pollinators – most often bees – but there has been a drastic fall in bee numbers around the world, largely due to intensive agriculture, the use of pesticides and climate change. His company says its artificial pollinator can augment the labours of – and eventually replace – bees.

Can other pollinators replace bees?

At least not in the way we’d like. In the past few years a flood of articles has heralded native pollinators as “saviors”—groups of selfless, tireless, seldom-seen gladiators that are going to step in and save our food supply once the honey bees die off.

Would the world be the same without any bees?

We may lose all the plants that bees pollinate, all of the animals that eat those plants and so on up the food chain. Which means a world without bees could struggle to sustain the global human population of 7 billion. Our supermarkets would have half the amount of fruit and vegetables.

Are flies more important than bees?

Most people are aware that bees are vital for the pollination of flowers, but many don’t realize that flies are second in importance to bees as pollinating insects. Flies have been documented to be primary pollinators for many plant species, both wild and cultivated.

What are some alternative pollinators to honey bees?

Bumble bees and blue orchard bees (mason bees) are probably the most common alternative pollinators available commercially.

What can we do without bees?

Without bees, they would set fewer seeds and would have lower reproductive success. This too would alter ecosystems. Beyond plants, many animals, such as the beautiful bee-eater birds, would lose their prey in the event of a die-off, and this would also impact natural systems and food webs.

Can you grow fruit without bees?

Some fruits are self-pollinating, and can fertilize themselves without any bees involved. Most fruit trees — pears and apples in particular — are self-sterile for their own pollen. If you plant all Royal Delicious apples, for example, you won’t get fruit, with or without bees.