NC Drought Threatens Ground-Nesting Bees, Food Chain

0:00North Carolina is facing a brutal drought, with 96% of the state in severe conditions and 38% in extreme ones. This dry spell is hitting native ground nesting bees hard, making it tough for them to burrow into the soil where they live. Over 70% of our native bees nest underground, and they're not the aggressive types like yellow jackets. These little ones are timid, with tiny entrances the size of the bee itself, just going about their business. The droughts wiping out flowers fast, cutting off the nectar and pollen these bees need. They pollinate over 85% of our flowering plants, so fewer blooms mean starving bees and weaker pollination for crops. Their larvae even serve as a key protein source for livestock feed, which ties right into what hits local farms and your farmer's market buys. Without these bees thriving, produce and animal products could take a hit. These urge us to leave those small burrows alone, no gasoline or pesticides, as that kills off vital pollinators and adds fire risks in this dry.

1:03Whether, protecting them keeps our food change strong. Derm news today, powered by AI bringing you what matters.