The buzz about
Bees & Butterflies
Bees and Butterflies are often seen in forests, meadows, and gardens all over the globe. They not only look beautiful and add freshness to your mind but also play a vital role in the natural ecosystems and significantly impact the environment they live in. Around 20,000 species of bees and 28,000 species of butterflies are known. Both butterflies and bees have their own importance in the ecosystem. Let’s discuss how vital these insects are for the survival of the ecosystem. ​
Importance of
Butterflies & Bees
Pollination
The most vital role of butterflies in the ecosystem is pollination. When they travel from one flower to another, one plant to another, they also transfer pollens from one place to another, thus helping in fertilization and aiding many plants, flowers, fruits, and different vegetables to produce new seeds. Like butterflies, bees also play an essential role as pollinators. Many fruits and vegetables that are an integral part of our diet rely on cross-pollination for their production, which is aided by bees mainly. Research has proved that during the process of pollination by the bees, the nutritional value of crops and fruits is also improved, which directly has a positive influence on human health.
Healthy Ecosystem
The presence of butterflies also indicates that the ecosystem is healthy and will attract other indigenous birds, animals, and bees. Butterflies are the primary food source for some wasps and flies, whose tiny larvae hatch within butterfly eggs, caterpillars, or pupae and feed on their host. Because butterflies are sensitive to environmental change, scientists look to them as signals that indicate the health of the environment. Unlike butterflies, bees are not eaten by other animals; even then, they are a source of food for many animals. Many seeds, fruits, and berries pollinated by bees are a primary source of food for many birds and animals.
How To Help Bees & Butterflies
The rapid increase in pollution, urbanization, deforestation and use of pesticides has drastically affected bees and butterflies, and their population has decreased to an alarming extent. So steps must be taken to support them and restore their population, ultimately benefiting us. Here are some ways we can help and contribute.
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Grow indigenous flowers and trees in your home garden.
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Different species of bees or butterflies prefer different plants, so research the type of species found in your areas and grow plants accordingly.
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Don’t use pesticides or other chemicals on crops or plants.
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Keep the contact number of the different scientific organizations working on saving bees and butterflies, and inform them immediately if you see something unusual happening about these insects.