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AA small stretch along the West Coast of South Africa is home to a special kind of insect. The Cape Bee (Apis mellifera capensis) is one of only two honey bee subspecies in South Africa, but this one only occurs within the winter rainfall region, including at Cape Point in the Table Mountain National Park.
Little is known about its natural history in a pristine fynbos environment, something that researchers now hope to change. A long-term study will investigate swarms and their limitations in Cape Point. “We know these bees adapt, but we want to find out how they are doing it,” explains Jenny Cullinan, beekeeper, researcher and advocate of Ujubee, an initiative to conserve bees. Despite limited knowledge, one thing is certain - the Cape Bee plays a major role in the economy and agriculture of the Western Cape. A variety of industries benefit directly from this bee’s pollination - fruit, wine, honey, flower, and general agriculture, would not be what they are today without this insect.
If bees, which are integral pollinators, are not protected, we may very well find ourselves in trouble.
There are many advantages to bees; they even influence what we can grow. Cullinan says it is proven that with pollination, the quality and quantity of fruit and vegetables increase significantly. In addition, “Up to 80% of fynbos species are pollinated by bees.”
Did You Know?
TThe Cape Honey Bee is a subspecies of the European Honey Bee.
Cape bees are managed for honey production and pollination?
AApart from beekeepers, who are financially dependent on them, not many other people are trying to conserve bees. Generally, the immense role played by this bee is underestimated. This misunderstanding directly threatens the longevity of this incredible insect. “In many cases people see bees as stinging pests but we have to change this perception.”
TMNP Cape Bee Research
AAs for the Cape Bee, their limited distribution creates even more cause for concern. They are the only species adapted to survive in the extreme Cape weather conditions. They only fly when their body temperature reaches 27 degrees Celsius, so they look for smaller spaces to nest in order to maintain this temperature within the hive. “This limits their nesting sites and when a hive gets disturbed, they will abandon it,” she says. On windy days, they will fly in much lower zigzagging patterns and run a big risk of getting killed by the many busses travelling within the park that cross their foraging paths.”
Other adaptations also set them apart from the African Honey Bee (Apis mellifera scutellata), our other honey bee subspecies. Should they lose their queen, the Cape Bees can produce laying workers that develop ovaries which enable them to lay eggs without being fertilised, effectively cloning themselves. In all other races of honey bees these eggs will only develop into drones. A new queen can be raised, mate and then start laying eggs within the hive. The location and formation of drone congregation areas where thousands of drones congregate, awaiting the presence of a virgin queen for mating, is another peculiarity that the researchers are interested in.
A long hard road lies ahead, but progress is slowly being made in Cape Point, with rangers becoming involved in locating wild nests. In time, bee interest groups will be established to enable public involvement.
“I believe that people want to be a part of this new solution-driven movement, one where we connect to and respect our natural world. This is our home and we have to take care of it,” says Jenny.
Sidebar:
Bees worldwide are facing difficult times. Challenges to their survival include that they often collide with vehicles crossing their flight paths, and that they are killed by the toxic sprays used on crops. In other parts of the world Neonicotinoids, a class of neuroactive insecticides, are being banned, but this hasn’t happened in South Africa yet. These insecticides deteriorate the cellular function of bees, leaving them with an often-fatal energy deficit.
The unique biodiversity and agricultural conditions found only in the Western Cape, are in part due to this amazing insect. We owe it to ourselves, and our future generations to preserve and nurture this fragile ecosystem.
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