All of that changed with the introduction of neonicotinoid pesticides and the catastrophic declines in bees and other pollinators, all absolutely vital to a healthy and productive ecosystem, not only for animals but critical for humans too. Many food crops require pollination and in parts of China bee populations have plummeted so drastically that farmers are already pollinating by hand. It is hard to believe that we could have come to this. Human stupidity knows no bounds.
The introduction of this fine work by Noah Wilson-Rich is timely indeed.
It covers every aspect of the life of the bee and provides a comprehensive understanding of bee ecology from start to finish. Witness the chapter titles:
Chapter 1 Evolution and Development
Chapter 2 Anatomy and Biology
Chapter 3 Society and Behaviour
Chapter 4 Bees and Humans
Chapter 5 Beekeeping
Chapter 6 A Directory of Bees
Chapter 7 The Challenges Faced by Bees
The chapters are followed by a lengthy bibliography for those wishing to research the subject further - count me among them!
Each chapter is broken down into subsets with discussions of various facets of the main topic of the chapter. The book is superlatively illustrated throughout.
I suspect that many people are unaware of the incredible diversity of bees, familiar only with a local hive or the friendly bumblebee in their garden. There is a staggering array of species with different habitat requirements and life styles. Contrary to common misconception most species do not sting, and there is little to fear from bees.
Upon completion of the book one is left with the feeling that we can all do more to protect these vital insects, often with little effort or expense. Moreover, we can become politically active in letting our politicians know that we want noxious, insidious and dangerous chemicals banned. It is instructive to remember the noble fight waged by Rachel Carson against DDT. No just cause is championed without commitment, no victory is won without sacrifice.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all who are concerned with what the future holds for our children. Share its content with your friends and family; become an advocate for pollinators everywhere.
The Bee: A Natural History
Noah Wilson-Rich
Paperback?$17.95/224 pages/7 1/4 x 9 1/4
Publication date: 24 July 2018
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Beautiful illustrations David.
ReplyDeleteI looks like a beautiful book, David. Bees and bumblebees are so important. I have never seen so many bees, bumblebees and butterflies as this warm summer. My neigbour have beecubes near by, and I buy honey from him. My lobelias have been very much visited this summer. It's important to have flowers they love.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you are seeing lots of bees, Marit. That is a good sign.
DeleteHello, great book review! I have been seeing bees lately at my plants, we need to keep them happy. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your day and weekend!
ReplyDeleteIf only we had paid MUCH more attention to Rachel Carson. And rather a lot of other people willing to shout inconvenient truths at us.
ReplyDeleteSadly I believe some of the Chinese have already said that human/hand pollination is superior - because there is less random cross pollination. And so our bio-diversity continues to dwindle.
Amigo David, que triste es ver cada año más abejas muertas, mi jardín es visitado por muchas abejas y abejorros tanto los cítricos como las plantas de flor, pero de un tiempo a esta parte observo en el suelo muchas veces bastantes abejas muertas por los dichosos insecticidas. Conozco un apicultor que traslada sus colmenas de un sitio a otro por toda la geografía y tiene gran preocupación por la constante disminución que sufren sus abejas. Para colmo, tenemos también en España el problema de la avispa asiática que están combatiendo en el norte en Galicia. No se a donde nos va llevar este desastre si no se toman medidas a nivel estatal y se implican todos los gobiernos para frenar este desastre cueste lo que cueste. Creo que las futuras generaciones lo van a pasar bastante mal.
ReplyDeleteComo siempre el mayor depredador del planeta "el ser humano" Cuando aprenderemos a respetar el medio ambiente, ya debería de ser una asignatura obligatoria en todos los colegios.
Un abrazo amigo David
Human activity is the ultimate cause of these problems to be sure, Juan, but we never seem to learn from our mistakes do we?
DeleteHi David - this looks to be a fascinating book ... I'm enjoying the Egg book 'The Most Perfect Thing' - though need to sit and read it properly. I'd like to read it - but for now have lots of others on the shelf ... thanks for the notification about it though - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi David.
ReplyDeleteSuperb ! We are beekeepers and have beautiful books in French of course. This one seems to be just as good.
Another reason for you to come and visit, Nathalie. I will introduce you to local beekeepers.
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteAm definitely a bee fan. Here in the UK the move to 'wild' the habitats around fields and gardens is starting to pay dividends. I definitely saw more bees and butterflies this year than had for some time. It's a another of those 'could do better' things though! YAM xx
Good news, nonetheless.
DeleteI love bees, looks like a very interesting book
ReplyDeleteHello David,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great book, I hope people will realize that we depend on the bees.
Best regards, Irma
Hi David. Have added this to my wish list, and will await the paperback version. Whilst the issues are obviously universal, how pointed towards the North American continent would you say the text was? I'm unlikely to be put off by this aspect, however.
ReplyDeleteWith love to you and Miriam - - - Richard
Good morning Richard: The book really is about THE BEE and is not really geared to North America at all. I am sure you would find it both useful and appealing. Much love to you and Lindsay, David.
DeleteThis is a book I would like to read. Thank you for sharing this incredibly important review.
ReplyDeleteOch så har du uträttat dagens goda gärning David. Människor behöver kunskap om hur vi behandlar en levande natur, en del bryr sig aldrig, den egna nyttan är det enda som räknas och de är omöjliga att påverka men många, många gör misstag enbart på grund av okunskap och de kan nås med ökad kunskap. Neonicotinoidernas skadeverkningar kan vi aldrig informera för mycket om och vi bör ha tilltro till att de flesta människor ändå vill göra det rätta.
ReplyDeleteJag har en fråga till dig, nu har våra tornseglare (Apus Apus) lämnat oss för i år och är på väg till andra sidan jordklotet för sitt vinterboende. Vi har en gammal ladugård stående sedan tidigare ägare och där under takpannorna har de sina bon. Det råder bostadsbrist för dessa trevliga fåglar och jag undrar - är det månne samma fåglar som återkommer till vår ladugård varje sommar? Det är ju i så fall en otrolig prestation att flyga över halva jorden för att hitta detta tak i den Sörmländska naturen i Sverige.
Many of the swifts domin fact return to the same barn, Gunilla. It is, as you say, a remarkable migratory achievement.
DeleteTack David, jag misstänkte att det var så.
DeleteLooks like an interesting book and our library actually has it, I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteThat looks such a wonderful and interesting book. A few years ago I went to Oxford to hear a talk by a Professor Dave Goulson (a bee expert) on the effects of neonicotinoids on bees and other insects. I knew a little bit about the problems beforehand but his talk was superb and to be honest terrifying. His bee books are all excellent.
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteI looks like a beautiful book. But it is written in English of course....and as you have notice, my English is not so good ;-) therefor I prefer a Dutch book. And luckely we have also a good one!
Best regards, Maria
Your English is VERY good, Maria.
DeleteWhat a fabulous book it is. I applaud your generous sharing and hope it is passed on and on. The scope of this problem is beyond belief.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a very comprehensive study.The more information circulating the better, especially in schools. Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteInteresting book by the look of it and one of the worlds most important insects. I must say we saw far fewer around this year, other than the swarm who decided that our roof was a good spot and we had to have them professionally moved. Cheers Diane
ReplyDeleteI should really get that book, especially after Saturday. The bee-keepers had a partially glass fronted hive that they use for demonstration purposes. It was actually quite fascinating watching the bees and the Queen Bee going about their business.
ReplyDeleteAs you say, the bees are in some sorts of troubles, caused by man as usual.
Thank you for sharing this book. It looks wonderful. I liked hearing that it is easy to read and don't need a scientific dictionary next to me. I have a friend that got hives this year and has not studied up on bees. I will get this for him. Are there many photos in it?
ReplyDeleteThere are many photographs and other illustrations. I have a good friend here who has hives and who would be glad to answer any questions your friend might have.
DeleteThere is a Netflix 2 episode show called the Hive. Maybe you have seen it. They don't band the bees like you did with the swallows but they do mark them and learn all about bees doing that. If you haven't seen it and can find it on Netflix or someplace else, I think you would like it. The book looks fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this information, Erika. I will check it out.
Deletei have not been seeing bees at the jersey shore. my rose of sharon is in bloom and the blooms are usually covered with bees. i have looked several times and i am not seeing any!!
ReplyDeletemy interest in bees has primarily been in photographing them!!!
Many thanks for this review David.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Hello David,
ReplyDeletethis seems to me a very beautiful and fascinating book.
In the Netherlands we also suffer from too few bees and that is because more and more nature is disappearing. the wild flowers have disappeared almost everywhere, so there is almost no food for the bees. Now fortunately we are working on it again but it is worrisome.
Sweet greetings and a big hug xx
So many species are disappearing. Man has a lot to do with it ! If we do not act quickly it might just be too late ! The book on The Bee looks very informative.
ReplyDelete