The Beekeepers: How Humans Changed the World of Bumble Bees (Scholastic Focus)
How Humans Changed the World of Bumble Bees
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Dive deep into the world of this everyday insect -- and the science behind its uncertain future.Bumble bees are as familiar to most of us as the flowers these fuzzy insects feed upon. But did you know that the bees in your garden could be escapees from a local greenhouse, or descended from stowaways on a Viking ship?Bumble bees are a vital part of our lives and Earth's ecosystems, so much so that we've commercialized their breeding and shipped them across states, countries, and ecosystems for our benefit. However, all of that human interference has consequences. Bumble bees are pushing out native species and altering ecosystems worldwide. Pesticide use has led to the spread of disease in local colonies. And some species may be disappearing entirely.The Beekeepers is an expertly researched overview of bumble bees -- from hive hierarchies to how their brains work -- and the passionate humans and scientists who are fighting for their survival. With a thoughtful and accessible voice, researcher Dana Church introduces readers to the fascinating world of bumble bees, how and why some are thriving while others are floundering, and how both experts and regular citizens are working to ensure their future. Equal parts endearing, frustrating, and hopeful, this scientific narrative is essential for readers looking to understand and make an impact on our changing world.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Like a pollinator gathering nectar from a wild-blooming field of flowers, Church pulls information from various sources and studies to tell the story of bumble bees, one that is complicated (unsurprisingly) by humans. Church's narrative encompasses the wisdom of Henry Lickers, an elder of the Seneca Nation, who shares the wisdom of "the bee song"; tales of Vikings bringing hunangsflugur (honeyflies) to Iceland; bee physiognomy ("Each bumble bee species has its own distinctive fur pattern") and behaviors; and observations of Victorian naturalists, including Charles Darwin, before delving deep into how private companies have propagated specific bumble bee types and shipped them by the millions to pollinate crops around the world. Church discusses the impact of imported bumble bees on native species; notes the complex, multifactored phenomena of colony collapse disorder in honeybees and its possible impacts on bumble bees; and persuasively compiles the growing evidence of the harm that neonic pesticides have on bee populations. Though the book's middle sags a bit under the weight of too many carefully recounted scientific studies, Church succeeds in illustrating the complex plight of bumble bees and illuminating the opportunities humans have to help these essential creatures thrive. Ages 8–12.
