Plant loss 'leads to fewer bees'

[BKF Admin]

The decline of honeybees seen in many countries may be due to reduced plant diversity, research suggests.

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[RoofTops]

That makes sense although I think this has long been suspected. They used to lose 30% of colonies that went to the almond crops in the US before CCD came along.

 

[Heather]

All meat and no veg good for no man!!

And modern flowers being created- doubles, trebles- no use to bees- lets get back to basics. nature knows best

Did I hear France are instructing wild flower seeds to be scattered on road sides to encourage insect foraging -

 

[Tom Bick]

In the parks near me they have stopped cutting the grass as a religion so as to let the clover ect to flower and also leaving parts of the parks to grow naturally. They are only small islands but its surprising how much insect life they attract.

 

[BKF Admin]

I like that idea Tom,It would cut down on the cost of grascutting tenders as well,maybe with the money saved they could sprinkle a little more wild flower seed.

My local council announced yesterday that they had planted 1 million Crocus bulbs last year,they also planted 140,000 Daff bulbs(They should of spent the Daff money on more Crocus).

I was reading during the winter that the guy who used to be in charge of the parks and gardens for 40 years was a very keen beekeeper,and did a very sly move of always planting trees and plants that were of benefit to bees.

 

[MJBee]

Swings and roundabouts

France is going to sow flower seeds along verges - goodnews

The French Agriculture minister has authorised the use of "Cruiser" on maize. Cruiser is a neonicitinoid - aaaarrrgh - bad bad news

Mike