Under the Microscope: South Africa’s Native Pollinators

South Africa is home to about 1,200 of the world’s 30,000 bee species, including the fluffy Carpenter bees often mistaken for bumblebees. These bees do not eat wood but use it to create nests housing small groups, unlike honeybee colonies. Carpenter bees are crucial for pollinating South African plants, using a technique called buzz pollination to release pollen from specific flowers like tomatoes and blueberries.

Understanding native pollinators is essential to avoid unintended ecological consequences. For instance, imported bumblebees have caused issues in some regions by becoming invasive.

Learn more about South Africa’s native pollinators and their critical role in preserving biodiversity by visiting the Grootbos Foundation’s resources.