Bees facing threat of extinction

One third of the 98 bee species in Ireland are threatened with extinction while three-quarters of the country’s wild plants require insect pollinators.

The startling statistics have serious implications for the environment, the growing of crops, food production, gardening and the landscape. Parasites, viruses, diseases, variable weather conditions, agri-chemicals and climate change are some of the factors behind bee mortality.

As they collect nectar and pollen, honeybees pollinate the plants and contribute to the growing of many crops. Of the 100 crops providing 90% of the world’s food, 71 are pollinated by bees.