Meanwhile in Canada
All joking aside, the loss of pollinators is costing human lives. A new study finds global pollinator losses are already causing 500,000 early human deaths a year. Three-quarters of crops require pollination. We need to bee more mindful and protect pollinators.
Read more: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2023/01/17/news/global-pollinator-losses-causing-500000-early-deaths-year
Global pollinator losses causing 500,000 early deaths a year

Insect declines mean reduced yields of healthy foods like fruit and vegetables and increased disease in people, study finds.

Canada's National Observer
Jan 17, 2023 at 9:01pmWeb
Show threadGreenSkyOverMe (Monika)Jan 17, 2023
⬆️ Image description: Canadian bee - US bee. A real bee - a bee with the head replaced with a USB stick
Show threadRaven LuniJan 17, 2023
@MeanwhileinCanada Also cant ignore the irony of that pic as I heard US scientists were looking into creating artificial bees as an alternative to protecting the real ones.
Show threadStuart Longland (VK4MSL)Jan 18, 2023

@RavenLuni @MeanwhileinCanada

I did hear of some research into alternate pollinators, but I think that was using flies and other insects rather than bees (robotic or otherwise).

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-07-03/are-flies-the-backup-to-bees-to-pollinate-crops/101197722

Cue John Williamson's "The Flight Of The Blowfly".

Could flies be the back-up species to pollinate crops in place of bees?

You might think blowflies are just a pesky insect, but they could be the back-up plan for farmers who rely on bees for crop pollination.

ABC News
Show threadStuart Longland (VK4MSL)Jan 18, 2023

@MeanwhileinCanada Right-hand one should be "US-Bee Aye" shouldn't it?

Wouldn't want to try and plug that one in, interface might be a bit buggy and then there's the sting when you pull it out.

Show threadKat PhoenixJan 20, 2023
@MeanwhileinCanada
This is accurate on so many levels!