Protect pollinators in the Year of Plant Health

Have you noticed that black hellebore is blooming in the forests and nature is slowly waking up to spring?

Various pollinators are also waking up. Pollinators are attracted to flowers’ scent and color.

The research checked how well insect pollinators are cared for in agricultural areas across Europe. They focused on wild pollinators, namely bumblebees, hoverflies, and solitary bees.

Dr. Danilo Bevk, co-author of the research from the Slovene National Institute of Biology, says that more than 500 species of bees live in Slovenia. The honey bee or the Carniola bee is only one of them, the rest are wild species.

“Wild pollinators are even more endangered than the honey bee. Because they live freely, it is more difficult to help them. Quite a few species have already become extinct in Slovenia.”

Plants are pollinated by other insects, not just bees, including butterflies, flies, wasps, and some beetles.

Pollinators are threatened by a lack of food and nesting sites, the improper use of pesticides, and diseases. There is a shortage of food because people’s lawns, gardens, and fields are fertilized and mowed more frequently, more often, and earlier in the season. The plants don’t flower, so they’re green deserts for pollinators.

dr. Danilo Bevk

Pollinators are very important for the sexual reproduction of plants. They transfer pollen from one plant to another, allowing the development of a seed that grows into a new plant the following season.

It is important to support the relationships between plants and pollinators for plant health. This is the only way we can protect both.

Glossary

Pesticides are chemical substances. Farmers use them to protect their crops from harmful insects.

Points to Consider

1. Do you know of any pollinators other than insects?
2. How do insects survive the winter?
3. Why are pesticides harmful?

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The original version of this article was published on 27^th February.