The Beekeepers: How Humans Changed the World of Bumble Bees

The author's doctoral studies are the foundation for this examination of the historic and current state of affairs of bumble bees. Her wish to share the extensive research—both bad and good news—about the human-bee relationship developed into this detailed account of a familiar insect you may have thought you knew enough about. Its biography reveals how much there is to discover, and how much we've taken advantage of these hard-working insects.

In nine chapters, readers will learn about the origins of bumble bees, how they've been relocated around the globe accidentally and intentionally, and about early studies of their characteristics and habits that led to mass production of colonies as their impact on the food industry became apparent. But it has not only been a good news story: threats to wild bee populations began to show up as bumble bees were introduced around the world. Development of pesticides, especially neonicotinoids, has severely affected honey bees as well as bumble bees. Studies continue as scientists try to understand how bees learn, why some species of bumble bees have disappeared, and how conservation strategies can be implemented. The complexity of information required a 10 page “Glossary”, and 19 pages of multi-genre “References” are included to attest to the research involved.

The importance of bumble bees as pollinators cannot be understated. Chapter Three, “Super Bees”, explains how bumble bees collect pollen and transfer it from flower to flower. In the case of food crops, this efficient pollination helps to produce better crops. The list of food crops that rely on pollinators is long: "one in three bites of food would not exist if it weren't for bees and other pollinators." Although different animals pollinate flowers (butterflies, hummingbirds, bats, beetles and bees), bumble bees are among the best at this task, succeeding even better than honey bees for several reasons: they forage in all weather, can shake loose more pollen using 'buzz pollination', and have more fur for pollen to adhere to. Knowing this, the reader will be prepared for the following chapters that deal with the ways natural pollination systems have been altered by human manipulation of bumble bees.

While the writing is not difficult to read, the studies, reports and experiments concerning bumble bees become quite lengthy and complex and will have limited appeal to the target readership, moreso to sophisticated readers or to adults. One example is the extensive details of how scientists determined whether bumble bees chose to gather nectar from plants contaminated with pesticides or not, and how it affected them. The discussion of colony collapse disorder (causing mysterious honey bee disappearances) goes into great depth to compare colonies afflicted with the disorder and those that were not. Tighter focus on the rationale, a brief summary of the method, and particular conclusions would have been enough for the intended audience.

Another possible deterrent to middle readers is the choice of illustrations. Black and white photos of the different species of bumble bees identified best by their colors are unappealing and not very helpful. Sketches, maps and charts, also in black and white, are small, often with details that are difficult to decipher. In such a text-heavy book, clear, colorful illustrative material would have added a great deal more interest and value.

In many recent books about environmental issues, the last chapter deals with ways interested people (especially young people) can become involved in projects to further conservation. “Hope for Bumble Bees” describes research into the use of dogs trained to locate bumble bee nests (to determine population size and study bee biology), creating bumble bee nest boxes to facilitate study, and finding giant ginger bumble bees in Argentina to assess their genetic diversity. This information is interesting, although the work is out of reach for most people to participate in. Nevertheless, the more attention any of these projects arouses, the better the bumble bees chances of survival will be. An organization called BumbleBeeWatch.org encourages Citizen Scientists to plant gardens, avoid pesticide use and create natural homes for bees in their own back yards.

The Beekeepers: How Humans Changed the World of Bumble Bees shines a spotlight on a fascinating topic, and its intentions are laudable. After reading so much about the bumble bee, it's hard not to take more notice of them while outdoors. That can only be good for the future of an insect we need to appreciate and value far more.