Bumble bees (among other insects), are workers. They work diligently, gently humming to themselves whilst performing their daily tasks. We can often be found in our gardens, watching them as they gracefully manoeuvre their cumbersome bodies from plant to plant, coating themselves in pollen while curiously wondering how on earth they manage to fly?
Putting the romance of it all aside for a moment, it is well known that the decline of pollinating insects is a problem, and not just for those of us who enjoy our outdoor spaces with all colours, aromas, and sounds they provide. According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (http://www.fao.org/pollination/en/), "three out of four crops across the globe producing fruits or seeds for human use as food depend, at least in part, on pollinators".
So, what are we going to do about this lack of pollinating insects? One substitute method being tested at presents is to use drones... yes drones! This has us perplexed, is this really our future? Investment in mechanical alternatives as apposed to the obvious exploration of solutions to safeguard and strengthen the pollinator population?
For information on how to assist pollenating insects look at the RHS website, (https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/conservation-biodiversity/wildlife/plants-for-pollinators).
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