When you first think of insects and small bugs, you usually get a feeling of disgust and want nothing to do with them. However, one distinct species in that category is so essential (in a good way!) to the ecosystem that life would change dramatically without it.

The species in question is honeybees! They are the most important and widely distributed pollinating species. According to statistics, 33% of the food we consume everyday depends in one way or another on the effect of bees ! A Huge number of vegetables, fruits, and flowers require pollination. Some examples are: Celery, sunflowers, soybeans, peaches, cherries, cranberries and watermelons!  Nearly four fifths  of the US crop is said to be dependent on honey bees. Alfalfa, which is a major food product for the cattle industry, is also dependent on the action of honey bees, showing its importance even in the dairy and livestock industry. 

IOf course, honeybees pollinate all sorts of crops, even commercial one’s like flax and cotton. Beeswax, is also (quite evidently) a direct product of bee;s efforts.

They also play an integral role as part of the food webs, in order to maintain equilibrium in the ecosystem.

 Attempts have been made to quantify the contribution of bees to the food crop industry, but it's very difficult.  In 2010, it was estimated that bees contribute $US40billion per annum.  According to the American Beekeeping Federation, honey bees contribute $15bn to US crop production alone.  (buzzaboutbees.net)

Lastly, honeybees evoke a sense of beauty within the environment as they are responsible for pollinating almost all of the world’s colorful flowers ! I hope this article has taught you about bees, so please do not consider them the ‘bad guys’ of the insect world.