Africanized bees and tractor operator

[TomSeller]

Then you'd better quit eating. Without bees, there is no pollination, and therefore, no crops. Maybe as you begin to grow up, you will understand such things, and not have such a knee jerk reaction. The problem isn't bees, it is the Africanized bees, or the "mutt" crosses of them, that is the problem.

I had not heard of the "mutt" crosses as we don't have the African bees where I live. Are they as nasty as the African bees? I agree with not destroying bee or wasp hives just to do it. Even though I am very allergic to stings, I understand they have a beneficial role. Except maybe yellow jackets. lol

 

[farmgirl19]

I had not heard of the "mutt" crosses as we don't have the African bees where I live. Are they as nasty as the African bees? I agree with not destroying bee or wasp hives just to do it. Even though I am very allergic to stings, I understand they have a beneficial role. Except maybe yellow jackets. lol

The crosses will be able to migrate into areas, once thought too cold for the African bees. Those crosses are also more aggressive, like the African bees, than the straight honey bee.

 

[NorTracNY]

The crosses will be able to migrate into areas, once thought too cold for the African bees. Those crosses are also more aggressive, like the African bees, than the straight honey bee.

farmgirl,
Do you have references on this? I am aware of research that shows no such conclusion. Also, let's not go overboard. Honeybees are just one of many polinators. They are not even native to North America.

 

[cqaigy2]

Also, let's not go overboard. Honeybees are just one of many polinators. They are not even native to North America.

Funny you should say that. Was having a discussion with my BIL about Colony collapse disorder, i mentioned that at least it will knock down the honey bees and let the native pollinators have a chance to thrive, and he looked kind of shocked. I said you know, honey bees aren't native, right?

 

[NorTracNY]

Funny you should say that. Was having a discussion with my BIL about Colony collapse disorder, i mentioned that at least it will knock down the honey bees and let the native pollinators have a chance to thrive, and he looked kind of shocked. I said you know, honey bees aren't native, right?[/QUOTEI

I believe that the reason industry brings up the polination and the honeybee is solely because of the extreme monocultures that have been created. I am not aware of another polinator that the industry could bring into these monocultures. The CCD also appears to be a largely industry problem. Yes there are many colonies lost every year with hobby beekeepers for many reasons, but I'm told there has not been a single case of the hundreds of beekeepers in the local club.

Honeybees have been here hundreds of years, original ship records indicate they came with some of the first European settlers, and are now an important part of the polinators. But they are not native.

 

[RBA50]

Honeybees are not native, nor are most of the plants they are pollinizing.

 

[Redneck in training]

Honeybees are not native, nor are most of the plants they are pollinating.

Exactly. No bees = no food (or lot less food).