Some beekeepers in California are trying to figure out who is stealing their beehives.
They say beehives have been disappearing, just as pollination season is getting under way. The hives have become much more valuable, as the U.S. Bee population is declining.
Beekeepers ship their bees to almond farmers, who use them to pollinate crops. About 80% of the world's almonds come from orchards in California. That adds about 15 billion dollars to the crop value in the state. So if you do the math, it pays for the thieves to steal beehives. Well, that’s a buzzkill.
Instructional Links
Website Articles & Activity: Canada Food and Agriculture Museum, What is a Bee?
http://www.bees.techno-science.ca/english/bees/what-is-a-bee/default.php
Website: Pollinators live