Conservation without confusion: the importance of knowing our bees

Abstract

Bees are the most important group of pollinators on the planet. They transfer pollen from the anthers of one flower to the stigma of another flower, which contributes to the production of fruits and seeds, thus sustaining the biodiversity of ecosystems and agroecosystems. There are more than 20,000 species of bees in the world, most of which are solitary. Apis mellifera is a domesticated bee species used for the production of honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, bee venom and pollination services in commercial agriculture. In recent years, a decline in the number of colonies has been observed in countries such as Mexico, the United States and Great Britain, caused by factors such as the loss and fragmentation of natural habitats, the intensive use of pesticides and herbicides, climate change, the presence of parasites (fungi, bacteria and viruses) and other pests. The decline of bee populations and the negative consequences on food security has aroused increasing social interest. However, misinterpretation of information has led to the erroneous belief that the honey bee is in danger of extinction. In Mexico alone there are approximately 2.21 million hives. There are bee species that are in danger of extinction, such as Bombus dahlbomii. When addressing issues related to endangered species, it is essential to precisely identify the species in question, as generalizations can distort the understanding of the particular situation of the various bee species.