VEGETABLES
POLLINATION
must produce ample amounts
From page 31
to their bat pollinators. Bats
service many plants used for
medicinal, cultural and
economic purposes.
Some beetles also play a
pollinating role, often of
plants with bright red, orange
or yellow odourless flowers.
Many beetle species eat
pollen, so the plants they visit
of pollen to make sure that
there is enough left to
pollinate the flower after the
beetles are finished eating.
Moth and butterfly pollination
is relatively common in the
summer rainfall region. They
also help with some subtropical fruits.
Ants pollinate some nut
flowers, while calliphorid flies
and ladybirds contribute to
onion pollination.
Bird pollination is well known
in Africa, with sunbirds,
sugarbirds and several other
bird species visiting flowers
Bat pollinating aloe
Bee on pumpkin flower
regularly.
In terms of crops honeybees
are responsible for pollinating
sunflowers, nut tree flowers,
berries, citrus, subtropical and
deciduous fruits, melons and
watermelons, vegetables
including pumpkin, most of
the squashes, cauliflower,
broccoli, Brussels sprouts,
onion, carrots and cabbage.
On a larger scale, crop
farmers need beekeepers to
bring honeybee hives to their
farms for the few weeks the
crop is in flower to provide
the high density of bees
needed for good pollination.
Honeybees are highly mobile
one. All removals are different
but the basics must be shown
by a beekeeper or discussed
at the association before
attempting.
With your first swarm housed
you are now drawn one into
the fascinating craft of keeping
bees and ensuring the health
and future of these vitally
important and fascinating
insects.
By Peter Clark (tel 011 3622904), author of the book
Tales of an African Beekeeper
and chairman for 2016 of the
Eastern Highveld beekeeper's
Association, assisted by
secretary Mike Alter (tel 011
965-6040).
BEEKEEPING
From page 31
subject one learns from the
beekeeper's association
meetings.
Perhaps you have a swarm to
remove from a container or
workshop cupboard, dog's
kennel or old tyre lying in the
yard? Such a first removal is
best guided by an experienced beekeeper to assist
32
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