Bee Conservation in the Southeast
Dr. Keith Delaplane, University of Georgia, has recently published Georgia Cooperative
Extension Bulletin 1164, Bee Conservation in the Southeast. In his introduction Dr.
Delaplane says: "A pollination vacuum occurs as bees of all kinds decline. And less
pollination means lower food quality and higher food prices. Thus, large bee populations
are in everyone’s best interest. Anyone who grows or uses plant products is a
stakeholder in bee conservation."
The document is not just about honey bees, although they are important and one of the most
well-known bees, Dr. Delaplane says. It also lists other important pollinating insects,
including bumble bees, mason bees, and the large group of solitary, soil-nesting bees. The
latter category includes polyester, southeastern blueberry and squash bees. The principles
of bee conservation in the Southeast are based on habitat conservation and improvement.
Most of these insects survive best in open, sunny habitats that are relative undisturbed
throughout the year. If adequate habitat does not exist, Dr. Delaplane suggests creating
it and provides detailed information on how to do so. Unfortunately, although this advice
results in land set aside for pollinator conservation, this acreage is not then available
for other kinds of agriculture. Nevertheless, the stakes are high for everyone who has any
interest in perpetuating the food supply. Thus, in the long run conserving pollinator
populations makes good sense, Dr. Delaplane concludes.
Copies of this publication are available by contacting Dr. Delaplane, Georgia Cooperative
Extension Service, 413 Biological Sciences Building, Athens, GA 30602, Phone:
706-542-1765, Fax: 706-542-3872, e-mail ksd@arches.uga.edu.
(review by Malcolm T. Sanford)