They're weird, fuzzy and a lot of trouble. These insects are actually all bees - the wild bees, and they're debatable more important than honey-making kinds. People are really worried about bees but what most people don't know : honeybees numbers are increasing worldwide. Not just that, but the way humans use honeybees make them a problem. Putting a honey beehive in your backyard doesn't help because we are saving the wrong bees.

When you think of pollinators, the honeybee probably comes to mind. That's because honeybees and humans have an ancient relationship. They're general pollinators, meaning they will pollinate most plants. And although honeybees are at risk from pest and diseases, the number of colonies worldwide is actually growing. 

But what about wild bees?  They are actually the most important wild pollinators. They're mostly solitary and unlike honeybees are suited to specific plants which makes them much better at pollinating. But wild bees are in serious decline. And this doesn't only affect them and their ecosystems, but our food security as well.

Worldwide, wild bee diversity has been decreasing each year. Pesticides, intensive agriculture and specially habitat loss are main drivers. This loss of diversity can cause knock-on effects on whole ecosystems. Less pollinator diversity means fewer wild plants. This hurts animals that use them for food or shelter and it's also bad for the future of our food. 

Globally we are planting more and more of the crops that require animal pollination like fruits, vegetable and oilseeds, the increase in honeybees hasn't kept up. This means pollinator dependance has increased very much. Combined with the decline in wild pollinators means an emergency to global food supply. Not only that the way we use honeybees actually make some part of the problem. Nowhere in the world uses honey bees for pollination the trend is growing as wild pollinated disappear.

Unfortunately it's not so good for the honeybees. They can be exposed to pesticides from the crop or catch diseases from the other colonies. And these honeybees are also a threat to wild ones they outcompete  these native species very fast and can spread disease to wild bees. It's not the honeybees' fault but ‘save the bees’ definitely doesn't mean adding more into the environment. 

So, what's the right way? Most of all, wild bees need more attention. We need honeybees but I aren't in danger of losing them. With the wild bees it's another story.