Pros And Cons Of Honey Bees

The Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is not only responsible for honey, but many different kinds of fruits and vegetables. Bees are agents of cross-pollination, and many plants are entirely dependent bees for their reproduction. Without bees, they would be highly stressed, and either would have to adapt to life without bees or become extinct. “The small little insect that works so tirelessly and quietly around us certainly is one of the reasons, if not a main reason, for the possibility of human development on earth” (Jenkins 1). Our reliance on bees is the reason why scientists should refuse to passively accept the results that bees are disappearing, stop focusing on erroneous theories, and continue to aggressively search for the cause so that methods of reversing the effects can be determined.
Ever since 2006, an aggregation of commercial beekeepers began noticing that their honey bees were disappearing. Although there are expected losses, especially during winter, the amount of losses was devastatingly high. Beekeepers noticed that healthy bees were simply deserting their hives in large numbers, never to return. Scientists and researchers call this mystery condition of mass disappearance Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). “CCD is a serious problem threatening the health of honey bees …show more content…
“The basic supply and demand tilt has already impacted the over $15 billion dollar industry” (Wilson-Rich 2). A world without honey bees would not only mean a world without honey, but also a world without vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. Nearly one-third of the world 's crops are dependent on honey bees for pollination ("What honey bees," 2010). Without the honey bee the majority of fruits and vegetables go away: apples, cherries, blueberries, avocado, broccoli, most leafy greens, cucumber, pumpkin, and many more. “Eliminate the honey bee and agriculture would be permanently diminished” (Walsh