The bee population has been rapidly declining over the last few decades. Luckily, one beekeeper has made an important breakthrough that could help solve the problem. Ron Hoskins has discovered a breed of the bee that can protect itself from the deadly parasite that has been said to have caused the fall in population.
Hoskins has found that the bees of the special breed tend to “groom” each other in order to get rid of the mites before they can do any harm. He is trying to spread this breed by cross-breeding them with queen bees from other defenseless hives. Keeping the bee population stable is important because they pollinate the crops and plants that make up much of our diet today. Ever since the varroa mite entered Britain, however, millions of bees have died each year.
The beekeeper, age 79, says he wants to “redevelop the British bee” to make it able to protect itself from the parasite. Hoskins says that we as humans are “completely reliant” on the insect, making this a life-or-death situation.
Bees pollinate plants which produce oxygen as well as crops, both of which provide us with much of our food. It is hoped that the special breed of bees will mate with bees from other colonies and spread them throughout Britain. The varroa mite has become resistant to the insect-killing chemicals that have been used. However, if this breed of bees can make its way through Britain, the problem may soon be solved for good.
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