Augochlorella sp. sweat bee on Yarrow. Image credit: Heather Broccard-Bell
Author: Heather Broccard-Bell, Ph.D., Honey Bee Health Researcher.
WHAT IS POLLINATION?
Happy Pollinator Week, everyone!
At NOD, we typically focus on one specific pollinator: the Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera). Last year, I wrote about how the amazing communication system of the honey bee makes this species a super pollinator.
This year, I want to cover a topic that seems to be curiously absent from most discussions about pollinators: what is pollination?
Most people know that pollination is important for food production, but a healthy number would struggle if pressed to explain exactly how or why that’s the case. So, let’s start at the beginning.