Latest news with #NickDorian
CBS News
15-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Plummeting honeybee populations are a big concern for food supply, Chicago area experts emphasize
Honeybee populations are declining rapidly, and it is a big concern for agriculture — and for our food supply — across the county and specifically in Illinois. According to a new report, commercial beehives lost more than 60% of their population in less than a year — and they are not the only bees we are losing. But Chicago area experts say there are changes people can make to help. Paul Caradonna and Nick Dorian are scientists at the Chicago Botanic Garden in north suburban Glencoe, and bee experts. Both are tracking the dramatic drop in honeybees and what it looks like nationally and locally. "We don't know exactly what is going on with this recent round of declines," said Caradonna, a conservation scientist. A nationwide survey shows commercial honeybee colony losses are at a new highpoint this year — losing more than 1.6 million from June to March. "About three quarters of the top global crops, from apples to blueberries to coffee to watermelon, require bees to be pollinated," said Dorian, a scientific researcher. Thus, researchers warn that the bee population decline could affect your trip to the grocery store, since honeybee pollination is so critical for food production. Both experts also quick to point out that the decline is widespread. "And with fewer bees — not only fewer of them, but fewer species of them — our food system is at risk," said Dorian. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture said the department is concerned about the decline and its impact on the food supply: "USDA is aware of the unusual losses to our nation's honey bee colonies and is concerned about its potential impact on food production and supply. USDA-Agricultural Research Service scientists are working closely with federal partners, stakeholders, and impacted parties to identify the source of this agricultural challenge. USDA will share more information when data is available." "We're likely to see — whether it's this year or next year — if we don't solve these problems, it will affect offerings in the grocery store and the cost of things," said Caradonna. Some of the factors known to affect bee populations are our changing climate, and a widespread use of pesticides. The Illinois Farm Bureau said it has invested $145,000 to support pollinator habitat projects across 28 counties statewide: "Illinois Farm Bureau is supportive in maintaining a healthy apiary population. Our members have expressed through our grassroots policy process that we need a vibrant local beekeeping population that allows apiary's to both help with plant pollination but also provide a healthy source of "sweetness" in our food supply. We have extensive goals in supporting beekeepers and their hives both in rural and urban areas. Since 2021, Illinois Farm Bureau has invested $145,000 to support 55 pollinator habitat projects spanning across 28 counties in Illinois. IFB is also a proud supporter of Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom. The program offers engaging activity and standards-based agricultural lessons, free for all teachers. One of the focuses of Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom is Pollinator Education. In school year 2023/2024, IFB's Agriculture in the Classroom provided pollinator education to 33,125 students through 1,440 teachers." But the average person does not have to spend six figures to be part of the solution. The experts said it can be as easy as planting a small garden, or putting some bee-friendly plants on your balcony. "Start with a couple of flowers that you find really attractive," said Dorian. Just take it from a bee's best friend. Dorian and Caradonna work with bees all the time. "When you look at bees in this way, it's impossible not to fall in love with them," said Dorian. "Why wouldn't you plant a garden for a bee?" Project Apis m. — named for Apis mellifera, the taxonomic name for the western honeybee — issued this statement outlining the problem and the action the beekeeping industry is taking. "Commercial beekeepers have been seeing the trend of colony losses increase over many years — and this survey showed a new high point of 62% losses — estimating that of 2.7 million colonies in the USA, 1.6 million were lost from June to March. "Commercial beekeepers transport truckloads of honey bees to provide pollination services to growers of pollinated crops, which are 1 in 3 bites of our food. Shortages of honey bees could impact availability, quality and cost of our foods. "They have it all on the line to rebuild and continue to provide pollination, honey, and sustain their businesses. It's a typical practice to divide the remaining strong colonies and add a queen to the new divides, to regrow their numbers, but this level of loss is beyond what is sustainable, and many businesses will not be able to recover this year. "The beekeeping industry is awaiting the release of information and results from the USDA scientists who beekeepers called for help, in hopes the samples taken will help us understand causes and what can be done to have better outcomes immediately. "In the longer term, the causes of bee health concern remain largely unchecked, and to prevent this happening again we need large scale efforts- more research, more tools to control Varroa mites and viruses, more healthy pasture for bees, and less pesticide exposures. "Anyone who likes to eat needs healthy honey bees!"
USA Today
09-03-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Butterflies are in trouble. It doesn't take much to help
Butterflies are in trouble. It doesn't take much to help Butterflies population decreases worry researchers. But even the smallest bit of garden – or just a pot of flowers – can help them survive. Show Caption Hide Caption A group of butterflies flew 2,610 miles across the Atlantic Ocean without stopping Painted lady butterflies venture far and wide with their impressive migratory patterns that stretch for thousands of kilometres, but they often travel across land so they can stop to rest. StringersHub New research shows butterfly populations have fallen dramatically over the past two decades, but there's a lot you can do to help these fluttering flower-lovers, even if all you've got is a single pot on a porch. 'You can really make a difference to the local population. Any individual flower you put out it likely to get visited,' said Nick Dorian, a post-doctoral researcher at the Chicago Botanic Garden who studies butterflies. All it takes is planting a few flowers and avoiding insecticides. Here's what to know: Butterflies are taking a dive Researchers across the United States collected data on more than 35 butterfly monitoring programs. It included data from 12.6 million individual butterflies comprising 554 species taken in 756,957 surveys. The results were worse than they expected. "They are all in trouble, everywhere," said Collin Edwards, an ecological modeler with the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife and first author on the paper published in the journal Science. The chief causes of the decline include habitat destruction, a drier and hotter climate because of climate change and insecticide use. This is where humans come in ‒ because it doesn't take much to plant a butterfly haven. All the insects need is nectar from flowers and places to lay their eggs, which just about any yard can provide. No in-depth research is required, said Elizabeth Crone, a professor in the Department of Evolution & Ecology at the University of California Davis and one of the authors of the paper documenting the decline of the much-loved insects. 'I just look at what flowers the bees and butterflies are visiting in the garden center. Then I buy those plants and plant them.' Milkweed, the preferred food of monarch butterflies, gets all the press but almost any flower is great, and lots of herbs as well. They don't have to be exotic. Golden Alexander, Zinnias, Mexican sunflowers, Cosmos, Snapdragons are all big nectar producers. 'You don't need the champagne of pollinator flowers – Miller Light will do,' she said. Get to know your local butterflies There are probably more butterflies flapping around your yard than you realize. If you have the time and the inclination – perhaps with a cool drink or while you listen to a podcast – spend some time in the warmer months just sitting near your plants to see what drops by. In 10 or 20 minutes you're likely to see visitors. 'It can be easy to think 'I don't see any butterflies in my garden' because you glanced a few times throughout the day. But actually, there were 10 butterflies there today, Dorian said. 'The butterfly might only stay for 90 seconds, but that's all it needs to get a nice meal from your flowers.' A quick online search for 'local butterflies' in your area should provide all the images you need to name these callers to your garden. Spending time with the flowers will also let you know what to plant more of next year. 'They'll tell you what flowers to keep growing," said Atticus Murphy, a postdoctoral researcher at UC Davis who helped Crone write a guide to pollinator gardens. If you plant it, they will come You don't have to worry whether butterflies can find your flowers, say experts. Butterflies spend their time flying around searching for food and all it takes is a colorful display to attract them. 'They have pretty good eyes for pursuing color. They fly high up and look around,' said Dorian. Some species also have an excellent sense of smell. Monarchs can sniff out a milkweed plant from a football field away. That means they're able to piece together separate flowers over a fairly large area to get the nectar they need. So you're not responsible for providing all their needs, it's all about the broader area, said Crone. 'And if you're the first, that's a great start.' Every bud helps For those without yards, there are many pollinator-friendly plants that do well in containers. Herbs are good, if they're allowed to flower, as are flowers like anise hyssop, purple coneflower and swamp milkweed. The nice thing is that butterflies want the same thing as humans. 'We like a big diversity of colors, we want beautiful showy flowers,' said Dorian. The movement to plant butterfly gardens has really taken off in the past decade. 'It's incredibly exciting to see so many people taking an interest in conservation,' Crone said. 'Nature isn't someplace you have to go to, it's all around us.' Given the doom and gloom about the environment these days, it's nice to make a difference, she said. 'When you plant a garden, it becomes a little easier to have hope,' she said. 'It's such a powerful antidote.'
