_           _              _           _
| |__   ___ | |_ __ _ _ __ (_) ___ __ _| |
| '_ \ / _ \| __/ _` | '_ \| |/ __/ _` | |
| |_) | (_) | || (_| | | | | | (_| (_| | |
|_.__/ \___/ \__\__,_|_| |_|_|\___\__,_|_| __
                                        __/  \__
   _                              _    /__\__/  \
  (_) ___  _   _ _ __ _ __   __ _| |  /   /  \__/__    __
  | |/ _ \| | | | '__| '_ \ / _` | |  \__/\__/  \  \  /  \
  | | (_) | |_| | |  | | | | (_| | |     \__/\__/   \/___/
 _/ |\___/ \__,_|_|  |_| |_|\__,_|_|                /
|__/                                 __            /
       __         _\//  __/_/_/     /  \          /   ___
 \/   /  \        __\_/   \ \\    _|    |_     /\   /   \
  \  /       \_/   _/ \/        _/_ \__/ _\_  /  \ /  \_/
   \/        / \__/   /\/      /   \/  \/   \ \  / \     
    \_       __/       /\_     \___/    \___/  \_\_/   __/\
      \     /         _     __ /   \   /   /\     /___/___/
 __   /    /  .      / \   /  \\__ /\_/\_ /  \_  /
    \_\  .           \  \ |   /   \__ _/  \    \ \_______
      /          ____ \__\|__/       / \   \   /  \   /  \
      \     .   /    \/\ \ \ \___   /   \   \_/___/   \   \
       \  .     |O O _ |  | |       \   \        /     \__/
        \    .  \_._/ \\ /_/ /       \   \      /\
        \/      .  //   \\   \\       \___\____/  \______
       \  /     .  \\   //   //                \    \____\
     
BOTANICAL JOURNAL - BEE SPECIAL

By Penny Littleton

Tips on helping out our Fuzzy pollinating friends

The population of wild pollinators is dwindling at an alarming rate 
worldwide due to the use of pesticides and climate change, despite their 
absolutely crucial role in maintaining ecosystems.Wild pollinators - 
such as thousand species of bees, butterflies and moths - are necessary 
for the reproduction of around 90 percent of the world's flowers and 
crops. Our fuzzy, winged friends need our help. The last issue of the 
Shadow wolf Cyberzine included a DIY tutorial on creating your own seed 
bombs.

Earlier this year, thousands of seeds were planted at the North Sea 
Institute gardens, which have seen a sharp increase in its bee 
population, bringing harmony and supporting the local ecosystem which is 
struggling to keep in balance due to the seemingly endless drought. Here 
are a few things you may not have known about bees:


1. When mating, male bees' abdomens get ripped causing death. Their 
endophallus gets stuck inside the queen bee.

2. Bees can distinguish between human faces.

3. Honey is actually beer vomit.

4. A bee sting can have some beneficial effects, for instance, can relieve 
pain caused by arthritis.

5. There are around 16 000 species of bees.

6. Bees can communicate and 'hear' through vibrations. Beehives have at 
their entrance a sort of "hall" of empty cells, so that the floor can 
vibrate when a bee begins to dance.

7. Bees come in all different colors, including with blue rings (blue 
ringed bee) or spots (African cuckoe beer) red,  metallic green, purple 
etc.


To help out the bees, seed bombing neighbourhoods and city and planting 
flowers around your home is the best option. Even if you don't have a 
garden, you can place some flowers at a window sill or balcony, to help 
them out! Some basic wild flowers will do the trick. This depends on 
where you are located. If possible, you can plant some flowers that can 
thrive year-round so that the bees and other insects can find a more 
permanent home.

The more diverse, the better. Aim for planting pollen-rich flowers that 
do not have too many petals (this makes it more difficult for bees 
to access). Of course, don't use pesticides! If you have a garden create a 
simple bee house to provide nesting sites for solitary bees and other 
insects. Also, do not remove lawn weeds such as dandelions, these are 
great for bees!

At the North Sea Institute, bees have been particularly attracted to the 
bushes of lavender and poppies! 

Another bee tip: if you encounter a bee that looks like it is struggling 
and is on its back, you can help by gently placing it on a bee-friendly 
flower. If there is no flower around, simply placing it near a bit of 
water mixed with sugar will help it gain its energy to fly again!