Yesterday was World Bee Day to raise awareness of the significance of bees throughout the world.   Today bee populations are rapidly declining as they face many threats from climate change and more importantly the loss of habitat and the use of pesticides and herbicides reducing the number of flowers to sustain them.  Today I saw only two bees on my walk along a country lane where there were many flowers but perhaps this was mainly due to the dull weather.

 A third of the world's food production depends on bees  and insects as they are vital to pollinate our food crops especially for three quarters of the leading food crops which are not wind pollinated like wheat. They also help pollinate tree flowers and wildflowers which provide food and shelter for other insects upon which many birds and mammals feed.  In parts of China excessive use of pesticides and loss of natural habitats has eradicated many of the wild bees in the apple and pear orchards causing farmers to hand pollinate every single flower with paint brushes. Even for one apple tree in a garden here that would be very time consuming and virtually impossible.

"No Mow May” and the sowing of wild flower mixes on road verges and spaces is becoming popular to help the bees.  They like flowers which are easier to get the nectar and pollen rather than some with close petals.  It would be very sad and bad for the economy if our bee and insect population declined much more so giving us less choice of food.