May 20 – World Bee Day

World Bee Day is today!

World Bee Day, celebrated annually on May 20th, serves as a global reminder of the essential role bees play in our ecosystem and the importance of their conservation. Established by the United Nations in 2017, World Bee Day aims to raise awareness about the significance of bees in pollinating crops and sustaining biodiversity. Bees, along with other pollinators, contribute to the reproduction of many plants, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts, making them indispensable for food production and ecosystem stability.

World Bee Day also highlights the threats facing bee populations worldwide, such as habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and disease. Through education, advocacy, and community action, efforts are made to address these challenges and promote bee-friendly practices. Initiatives include planting pollinator-friendly gardens, supporting local beekeepers, and implementing sustainable agriculture practices.

HISTORY OF WORLD BEE DAY

In 2017, the UN General Assembly declared May 20th as World Bee Day, on the proposal of the Slovenian Beekeeping Association. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators, the threats they face, and the actions we can take to protect them. The history of World Bee Day is a testament to the power of activism and collaboration, and to the shared responsibility we have towards the environment. Today, people all over the world come together to celebrate bees and to learn from the Slovenian beekeeping wisdom.

100 THINGS BEES CONTRIBUTE TO OUR ECOSYSTEM

Pollination: Bees play a crucial role in pollinating flowering plants, ensuring the reproduction of numerous species.
Biodiversity: By pollinating a wide variety of plants, bees contribute to the biodiversity of ecosystems around the world.
Food Production: Bees pollinate many crops, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and oilseeds, which are essential for global food production.
Habitat Creation: Bees help create habitats for other wildlife by pollinating plants that serve as food and shelter.
Seed Production: Through pollination, bees facilitate the production of seeds for numerous plant species, supporting plant reproduction and propagation.
Medicinal Plants: Bees pollinate medicinal plants, contributing to the production of natural remedies used in traditional and modern medicine.
Ecosystem Stability: Bees contribute to the stability of ecosystems by maintaining the balance between plant species and their pollinators.
Soil Fertility: Pollinated plants produce fruits and seeds, which contribute to soil fertility through decomposition and nutrient cycling.
Wildlife Habitat: Bees contribute to the creation of wildlife habitats by pollinating plants that provide food and shelter for other animals.
Water Cycle: Bees help maintain the water cycle by pollinating plants that play a role in regulating water flow and retention in ecosystems.
Carbon Sequestration: Pollinated plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon in biomass and soil.
Air Quality: Bees contribute to air quality by pollinating plants that help remove pollutants from the atmosphere and produce oxygen.
Forest Regeneration: Bees facilitate forest regeneration by pollinating trees and other plants essential for forest ecosystems.
Crop Diversity: Bees support crop diversity by pollinating a wide range of plants used for food, fiber, fuel, and other agricultural products.
Genetic Diversity: Bees contribute to genetic diversity by promoting cross-pollination among plants, leading to the exchange of genetic material.
Natural Pest Control: Bees indirectly contribute to natural pest control by pollinating plants that support predators and parasites of agricultural pests.
Food Chains: Bees are an essential component of food chains, providing food for numerous animals that rely on pollen and nectar as a food source.
Ecological Services: Bees provide ecological services such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and soil formation, which are essential for ecosystem health and function.
Carbon Storage: Pollinated plants store carbon in their biomass and soil, contributing to carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation.
Erosion Control: Bees contribute to erosion control by pollinating plants that help stabilize soil and prevent erosion in ecosystems.
Food Web Dynamics: Bees influence food web dynamics by pollinating plants that serve as food sources for herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores.
Nutrient Cycling: Pollinated plants contribute to nutrient cycling by producing organic matter that decomposes and releases nutrients back into the soil.
Water Filtration: Bees indirectly contribute to water filtration by pollinating plants that help regulate water flow and quality in aquatic ecosystems.
Habitat Restoration: Bees play a role in habitat restoration by pollinating plants used in ecological restoration projects to reestablish native vegetation.
Climate Regulation: Pollinated plants contribute to climate regulation by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis.
Ecosystem Resilience: Bees enhance ecosystem resilience by pollinating plants that support diverse and adaptable plant communities capable of responding to environmental changes.
Economic Value: Bees have significant economic value due to their role in pollinating crops and supporting agricultural productivity and food security.
Cultural Importance: Bees have cultural importance in many societies, where they are revered for their role in pollinating plants and producing honey.
Recreational Opportunities: Bees provide recreational opportunities for beekeeping, pollinator gardening, and wildlife observation, which promote environmental stewardship and connection with nature.
Honey Production: Bees produce honey, a valuable food product consumed by humans and used in various culinary, medicinal, and industrial applications.
Wax Production: Bees produce beeswax, which has numerous uses in cosmetics, candles, pharmaceuticals, and other industries.
Propolis Production: Bees produce propolis, a resinous substance used to seal and protect the hive from pathogens, which has medicinal properties and potential industrial applications.
Royal Jelly Production: Bees produce royal jelly, a nutritious secretion used to feed queen bees and developing larvae, which has health benefits and is used in dietary supplements and cosmetics.
Bee Venom Production: Bees produce venom, which has medicinal properties and potential applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and bee venom therapy.
Pollen Collection: Bees collect pollen from flowers, which provides essential nutrients for bee larvae and adult bees, supporting their growth, development, and health.
Nectar Collection: Bees collect nectar from flowers, which serves as a carbohydrate-rich energy source for bees and is used to produce honey.
Bee Propagation: Bees contribute to their population’s propagation through colony reproduction, swarming, and the establishment of new colonies.
Hive Building: Bees build hives using beeswax and propolis, creating sheltered spaces for themselves and their offspring to live, store food, and raise brood.
Temperature Regulation: Bees regulate the temperature inside the hive by fanning their wings, evaporating water, and clustering to maintain optimal conditions for brood rearing and honey storage.
Honeycomb Construction: Bees construct honeycomb cells using beeswax, creating a structured matrix for storing honey, pollen, and brood within the hive.
Hive Cleaning: Bees clean the hive by removing debris, dead bees, and other waste materials, maintaining a hygienic environment for colony health.
Social Structure: Bees exhibit complex social behavior within the hive, with specialized roles for worker bees, drones, and the queen bee, contributing to colony organization and efficiency.
Communication: Bees communicate through various signals, including pheromones, dances, and vibrations, to coordinate foraging, defend the hive, and regulate colony activities.
Reproduction: Bees reproduce through mating flights, where drones fertilize queen bees, leading to the production of eggs and the continuation of the colony’s genetic lineage.
Swarming Behavior: Bees exhibit swarming behavior when a colony reproduces by dividing into two or more groups, with one group leaving the hive to establish a new colony elsewhere.
Genetic Diversity: Bees contribute to genetic diversity within their population through mating with drones from other colonies, promoting genetic variation and adaptability.
Nursing: Worker bees care for developing larvae by feeding them royal jelly, pollen, and nectar, ensuring their growth and development into healthy adult bees.
Foraging: Worker bees collect pollen and nectar from flowers to feed the colony, traveling long distances and visiting numerous plants to gather resources.
Orientation Flights: Young worker bees perform orientation flights outside the hive to familiarize themselves with the surrounding environment and landmarks, improving navigation during foraging trips.
Dance Language: Bees communicate the location of food sources through dance language, with waggle dances indicating the direction and distance to foraging sites.
Hive Defense: Bees defend the hive from predators, pests, and intruders by stinging and releasing alarm pheromones to alert other bees of danger.
Hive Ventilation: Bees regulate hive ventilation by fanning their wings to circulate air and control temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels inside the hive.
Brood Rearing: Worker bees rear brood by incubating eggs, feeding larvae, and sealing brood cells with beeswax, ensuring the development and survival of future generations.
Honey Storage: Bees store surplus honey in honeycomb cells within the hive, preserving it for future consumption during times of scarcity or as a food source for the colony.
Pollen Storage: Bees store collected pollen in specialized cells within the hive, packing it into pollen baskets on their hind legs for transport and storage.
Propolis Sealing: Bees use propolis to seal cracks, crevices, and openings in the hive, strengthening its structure and preventing intrusion by pests and pathogens.
Brood Thermoregulation: Worker bees maintain optimal temperature conditions for brood development by clustering around brood cells and generating metabolic heat.
Queen Supersedure: Bees replace old or failing queen bees through supersedure, where they rear new queen larvae and transition to a new queen upon her emergence and mating.
Swarm Preparation: Bees prepare for swarming by building queen cells, stockpiling food reserves, and selecting a new queen to lead the swarm to a new nesting site.
Hive Expansion: Bees expand the hive by building new comb, extending existing comb, and constructing additional layers of cells to accommodate population growth and resource storage.
Robbing Behavior: Bees engage in robbing behavior to steal honey and resources from neighboring hives, leading to conflicts and defensive responses between colonies.
Migration: Bees engage in seasonal migration, relocating their colonies in response to changes in resource availability, environmental conditions, and population pressures.
Symbiotic Relationships: Bees form symbiotic relationships with plants, benefiting from pollen and nectar rewards while pollinating flowers and facilitating their reproduction.
Dietary Diversification: Bees diversify their diet by foraging on a wide range of flowering plants, shrubs, and trees, adapting to changes in floral abundance and diversity.
Selective Foraging: Bees exhibit selective foraging behavior, preferentially visiting flowers with high nectar and pollen rewards and adapting their foraging strategies to optimize resource acquisition.
Seasonal Cycles: Bees synchronize their activities with seasonal cycles, adjusting foraging, brood rearing, and hive maintenance in response to changes in temperature, daylight, and floral availability.
Diurnal Rhythms: Bees display diurnal rhythms, with activity levels peaking during daylight hours and declining at night, aligning their foraging and navigational behaviors with natural light cycles.
Genetic Adaptation: Bees undergo genetic adaptation to local environmental conditions, developing traits and behaviors that enhance their survival and reproductive success in specific habitats.
Hive Density: Bees regulate hive density through swarming, absconding, and queen supersedure, maintaining optimal colony size and resource utilization in response to environmental factors.
Parasite Control: Bees engage in grooming behavior to remove parasites, pathogens, and debris from their bodies and hive, reducing disease transmission and maintaining colony health.
Reproductive Strategies: Bees employ reproductive strategies such as polyandry, multiple mating, and sperm storage to maximize genetic diversity and colony fitness in variable environments.
Thermoregulatory Behavior: Bees regulate hive temperature by clustering, shivering, and fanning, adjusting metabolic heat production and airflow to maintain a stable thermal environment for brood development and colony survival.
Hive Communication: Bees communicate hive conditions and resource availability through vibrational signals, chemical cues, and behavioral responses, coordinating colony activities and decision-making processes.
Dance Orientation: Bees use dance orientation to recruit foragers and communicate the location of food sources, with waggle dances conveying information about distance, direction, and quality of resources.
Nectar Processing: Bees process nectar into honey through enzymatic digestion, dehydration, and storage in honeycomb cells, transforming floral rewards into a long-term energy source for the colony.
Pollen Fermentation: Bees ferment pollen into beebread by mixing it with nectar, enzymes, and microorganisms, enhancing its nutritional value and digestibility for larval development and adult nutrition.
Swarm Coordination: Bees coordinate swarm activities through pheromonal cues, behavioral interactions, and environmental signals, facilitating collective decision-making, navigation, and resource acquisition during migration and colony establishment.
Hive Sanitation: Bees maintain hive sanitation by removing waste, dead bees, and contaminated materials from the hive, minimizing disease transmission and preserving colony hygiene.
Guarding Behavior: Bees exhibit guarding behavior to defend the hive from predators, intruders, and robbers, patrolling the entrance and perimeter of the hive and engaging in aggressive responses to threats.
Altruistic Behavior: Bees display altruistic behavior by sacrificing themselves to protect the colony, engage in cooperative tasks, and allocate resources for the collective benefit of the hive.
Resource Allocation: Bees allocate resources such as pollen, nectar, and water based on colony needs, regulating food storage, brood rearing, and hive maintenance to optimize survival and reproductive success.
Symbiotic Relationships: Bees form symbiotic relationships with microorganisms in their gut, hive, and environment, benefiting from digestive, metabolic, and immune functions that enhance nutrition, health, and disease resistance.
Social Hierarchy: Bees establish social hierarchies within the colony, with queens, workers, and drones exhibiting specialized roles and behaviors that contribute to division of labor, reproductive success, and colony function.
Chemical Communication: Bees use pheromones, volatile compounds, and cuticular hydrocarbons to communicate information about colony status, reproductive condition, and environmental cues, coordinating collective activities and responses.
Nest Site Selection: Bees select nest sites based on criteria such as cavity size, location, insulation, and accessibility, evaluating environmental factors and competing demands for shelter, security, and resource availability.
Queen Mandibular Pheromone: Bees produce queen mandibular pheromone to regulate colony behavior, suppress worker ovary development, and maintain reproductive dominance, influencing caste differentiation, swarming, and foraging activity.
Dance Language: Bees communicate the location of floral resources through dance language, with waggle dances indicating direction, distance, and quality of food sources, facilitating collective foraging and resource exploitation.
Thermal Regulation: Bees regulate hive temperature through behavioral and physiological mechanisms, adjusting metabolic heat production, airflow, and insulation to maintain optimal conditions for brood rearing, honey storage, and colony survival.
Colony Size Regulation: Bees regulate colony size through swarming, absconding, and brood rearing, adjusting population density and resource utilization in response to environmental conditions, resource availability, and reproductive needs.
Nectar Secretion: Bees secrete nectar from specialized glands located in floral structures, attracting pollinators and providing rewards for flower visitors, facilitating cross-pollination and seed production in flowering plants.
Pheromone Communication: Bees produce pheromones to communicate information about colony status, queen presence, reproductive condition, and environmental cues, coordinating collective behaviors, reproductive activities, and social interactions.
Colony Defense: Bees defend the colony from predators, parasites, and pathogens through aggressive behavior, stinging responses, and chemical deterrents, protecting hive resources, brood, and reproductive potential.
Reproductive Suppression: Bees suppress worker ovary development through queen pheromones, social interactions, and genetic cues, maintaining caste differentiation, colony organization, and reproductive harmony within the hive.
Brood Temperature Regulation: Bees regulate brood temperature by clustering around brood cells, generating metabolic heat, and adjusting airflow and insulation within the hive, maintaining optimal conditions for brood development, survival, and colony growth.
Swarm Communication: Bees communicate swarm intentions through pheromonal cues, vibrational signals, and behavioral interactions, coordinating swarming behaviors, migration routes, and nest site selection during colony reproduction and establishment.
Social Immunity: Bees exhibit social immunity through hygienic behaviors, grooming, and antimicrobial secretions, reducing disease transmission and pathogen load within the colony, enhancing colony health, and survival.
Reproductive Communication: Bees communicate reproductive information through pheromonal signals, reproductive cues, and mating behaviors, coordinating queen mating flights, drone congregation areas, and reproductive activities within the hive and mating environment.
Mummification: Certain species of bees, like the alfalfa leafcutting bee, engage in a peculiar behavior known as “mummification.” Female bees construct nests using pieces of leaves, into which they lay their eggs. To protect the developing larvae, they seal each egg chamber with a leaf fragment, effectively mummifying the larvae within until they hatch.
Thermal Regulation: In colder climates, some bees, such as the bumblebee, have developed a bizarre yet effective method for thermoregulation. When temperatures drop too low for flying, they engage in a behavior called “shivering thermogenesis.”
Carpentry Work: Certain species of carpenter bees contribute to the ecosystem in a rather unconventional way – by acting as nature’s carpenters.

HOW TO CELEBRATE WORLD BEE DAY STEP-BY-STEP

Join the buzz on World Bee Day! Discover the vital role bees play in our ecosystem and celebrate their contributions to biodiversity, pollination, and food production. Engage in activities to raise awareness, promote conservation efforts, and support bee-friendly practices. From planting pollinator-friendly gardens to learning about beekeeping, there are endless ways to honor these essential pollinators and safeguard their future. Join the global movement to protect bees and ensure a sustainable future for our planet. Let’s bee together for World Bee Day!