By bringing pollen from flower to flower, bees directly contribute to the production of fruits, nuts and seeds. The decline of bees and other pollinators impact our well-being and the well-being of the environment. To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day. Photo by Teresa Teo Guttensohn at Pangsua Woodlands along The Rail Corridor, May 2020.
by Teresa Teo Guttensohn
Today, 20 May is World Bee Day. Small, hardworking and often forgotten in urbanised Singapore, we forget that our well-being depends upon the existence of bees.
The humble bee and other pollinators like butterflies, birds and nectar bats are under threat from human activities and are on an alarming decline worldwide.
The decline of bees affects us all and it is critical to halt the loss of pollinators and biodiversity. To do so, we must protect the last of our wilderness areas and ecosystems.
The greenery and tranquility here at Pangsua Woodland provides wonderful ‘bees and butterflies’ encounters for all. With the global Covid-19 pandemic ongoing, the need for more green and wild spaces becomes more urgent than ever. Photo by Teresa Teo Guttensohn taken at Pangsua Woodlands along The Rail Corridor, May 2020.
Here at Pangsua Woodlands, the wild grasses growing within and along both sides of the rail line are feeding areas for pollinating bees and butterflies such as the Blue Pansy (Junonia orithya wallacei). Photo by Teresa Teo Guttensohn taken at Pangsua Woodlands along The Rail Corridor, May 2020.
“Pollination is fundamental for the survival of our ecosystems. Nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend on animal pollination, along with more than 75% of the world’s food crops and 35% of global agricultural land. Not only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but they are key to conserving biodiversity.”
United Nations
How you can help to protect our wild bees:
Flowers for bees – plant different native plants which flower at different times of the year.
Go natural – avoid chemical pesticides, fungicides or herbicides in your gardens. Use environmentally friendlier methods and sprays. Protect wild bee habitats, colonies and hives where possible.
Protect and conserve forests and other natural ecosystems which are crucial habitats and food sources of bees.
Raise and share awareness on the importance of bees.
Wanna-bees: Many insects mimic other insects such as flies that look just like bees and moths that pose as wasps. Can you tell which pollinator is which? The pollinators above include Amata huebneri, Eristalinus sp, Apis cerana (left to right). Photos by Teresa Teo Guttensohn taken at Pangsua Woodlands along The Rail Corridor, May 2020. Photo IDs by Zestin Soh.
