pollination

The Mexican long-tongued bat is one of the species that pollinates agave, but its ecosystem is being disrupted by large-scale, cheaper methods of making tequila.

Bats And Tequila: A Once Boo-tiful Relationship Cursed By Growing Demands

8:07am October 29, 2017

by Neda Ulaby

As the tequila industry surges, the early harvesting and cloning of agave are disrupting the ecosystem of some species — leading some groups to go to bat for the hardworking nighttime pollinators.

A bumblebee grooms her fur — and her tongue — to get at the pollen grains she vibrated free from the anthers.

WATCH: The Secret Buzz Only Bumblebees Know To Unlock Our Favorite Crops

11:09am July 19, 2016

by Lisa Marie Potter

Some plants will release their pollen only to bees that buzz in just the right way. It's a risky strategy — and it's critical to human agriculture, from tomatoes to blueberries.

A bumblebee collects pollen from a flower. New evidence suggests climate change has left bumblebees with a shrinking range of places to live.

Buzz Kill For Bumblebees: Climate Change Is Shrinking Their Range

2:31pm July 13, 2015

by Dan Charles

Wild bees are some of nature's busiest pollinators of crops and flowers. But new evidence suggests a warming climate is squeezing the bounds of where bumblebees can live.

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The federal government hopes to reverse America's declining honeybee and monarch butterfly populations.

Plan Bee: White House Unveils Strategy To Protect Pollinators

3:50pm May 19, 2015

by Brian Naylor

The national strategy addresses the alarming decline in honeybee populations. It calls for more bee habitat and more research into ways to protect bees from disease and pesticides.

The decline of honeybees has been attributed to a variety of causes, from nasty parasites to the stress of being transported from state to state to feed on various crops in need of pollination.

Biologist Says Promoting Diversity Is Key To 'Keeping The Bees'

3:32pm July 09, 2014

Laurence Packer says humans need to appreciate both domestic bees and the some 20,000 species of wild bees. His book Keeping The Bees explores all types, including some that feed on tears.

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