Ispectrum Magazine Ispectrum Magazine #09 | Page 51

The pesticide ban did not get rid of all neonics and there are many other problems that pollinators face; habitat destruction, bee diseases and a lack of food to name just a few. Nevertheless, the discovery of new biopesticides that are non-toxic to honeybees provides hope for the future of pest control. But it is early days for these exiting new strategies and, for now, more simple efforts may improve the bleak situation of our pollinators in the short term. Falling bee numbers and rising food prices Like most other species, some plants have sex to reproduce. This process involves pollen grains – which are the plant’s male sex cells – being transferred to the female part of the plant. Honeybees, and other insects that eat nectar and 50