Essendo sempre vissuto in città, la frase : “Se l’ape scomparisse dalla faccia della terra, all’uomo non resterebbero che quattro anni di vita” (“If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live” viene erroneamente attribuita ad Albert Einstein) mi ha sempre creato un po’ di angoscia…
Perché l’esistenza delle api è così legata a quella dell’umanità ?
Le api da miele come altri impollinatori sono responsabili di 1 dei 3 bocconi di cibo che mangiamo . Le api impollinano 71 delle 100 colture che costituiscono il 90 % dell’approvvigionamento alimentare del mondo. Frutta e ortaggi, tra cui mele, mirtilli, fragole, carote e broccoli, così come le mandorle e caffè, si basano sulle api Questi insetti benefici sono fondamentali per mantenere il nostro approvvigionamento alimentare diversificato.
Inoltre da un fiore impollinato dalle api (entomogama) genererà un frutto qualitativamente migliore rispetto l’impollinazione da vento (anemogama).
Nelle Sacre Scritture il miele si trova nominato molto spesso: dalla Palestina, che è citata come la terra dove scorre latte e miele (Esodo, III, 8), fino ad arrivare a San Giovanni Battista che si nutre di miele selvatico (Matteo, III,4). Anche nell’antico Egitto non mancano i riferimenti a questo prezioso alimento ricco di calorie come pure tra gli scrittori greci e romani. Il bacino del Mediterraneo, grazie al suo clima mite, era ed è particolarmente favorevole alla vita delle api che, sensibili alle basse temperature, garantivano una produzione di miele quasi ininterrotta.
È appunto in Europa che nasce l’apicultura moderna e che trova nei monasteri medioevali il luogo di rinascita e di crescita. Non solo il miele, unico dolcificante noto fino alla lavorazione della canna da zucchero, ma anche la cera che era fondamentale per l’illuminazione in particolar modo delle chiese e questo spiega anche perché tra i principali apicoltori si trovino in maggioranza degli ecclesiastici.
Tra questi Juraj Fándly (1750-1811), Štefan Závodník (1813 – 1885), linguista, patriota, nella sua parrocchia si riunirono i primi apicoltori della Slovacchia e fondarono la “Società degli apicoltori slovacchi nell’Alta Ungheria”.
Johann Dzierzon , (1811 – 1906), pioniere dell’apicultura, scoprì il fenomeno della partenogenesi nelle api divenendo famoso negli ambienti scientifici, fu riconosciuto come il padre della moderna apicoltura.
L’Abate Emile Warré (1867 – 1951), per 25 anni curato nella regione francese della Somme, mise a punto l’arnia del popolo, e il metodo di allevamento naturale delle api. Lʼarnia Warré venne poi riscoperta, rivalutata e giudicata da molti la più adatta a far prosperare le api e ad allevarle in maniera “biologica”.
Don Giacomo Angeleri (1877-1957) fece da collegamento tra l’apicoltura del passato e quella di oggi ed è da considerarsi uno dei padri dell’apicoltura nazionale.
Karl Kehle (noto come Padre Adam) (1898 – 1996), monaco tedesco appartenente all’ordine benedettino per più di 60 anni responsabile dell’apicoltura all’Abbazia di Buckfast, nel Devon (GB). Creò l’ibrido ape di Buckfast, col quale sconfisse l’epidemia di acariosi che aveva portato alla scomparsa pressoché totale dell’ape nera britannica.
A questo lungo elenco di sacerdoti bisogna aggiungere il nome di Giotto Ulivi (1820-1892) che durante gli anni in cui era parroco a S. Andrea a Gricigliano, vicino Firenze, si dedicò allo studio delle api e della loro vita sia teoricamente che praticamente. Aveva a cuore in particolar modo l’istruzione dei contadini e inventò un’arnia molto innovativa e particolarmente economica, l’Arnia Giotto, presentata al secondo congresso apistico di Firenze nel 1874. Presidente e socio di molte società fu ricordato per aver dato molto a questa industria risollevandone le sorti e facendo così ridurre notevolmente le importazioni di cera e miele.
Dagli studi dell’etologo austriaco Karl von Frisch, premio Nobel per la medicina e la fisiologia nel 1973, è emerso che la direzione del tratto ondeggiato rispetto alla verticale del favo indica la direzione della fonte di cibo rispetto al Sole, mentre la durata della fase di ondeggiamento è proporzionale alla distanza (circa 1 km per 1 s).
Le api e le bolle di sapone hanno in comune : gli angoli !
Infatti le lamine saponose quando si dispongono creano solo due tipi di angoli : da 120° oppure da 109° e 28′ dalle osservazioni di Antoine Ferdinand Plateau (1801-1883) nel 1873.
L’angolo di 120° sono gli angoli interni di un esagono forma delle celle delle api :
Mentre l’angolo di 109° e 28′ è l’angolo tetraedrico disegnato dalla parte finale delle celle delle api ed utilizzato per far combaciare le celle tra di loro nella costruzione finale del favo :
Vista frontale intersezione di celle delle api, dove andrà orientato il Nord MagneticoLa costruzione comincia a partire da una base a forma di cuspide con tre losanghe inclinate di 109°28′ , su cui le api premendo contemporaneamente ai lati innalzano le pareti cellulari a forma esagonale,con un inclinazione tra i 9 e 13 gradi, sufficiente a impedire il deflusso del miele liquido immagazzinato nelle celle.Nella costruzione, regolare delle celle, le api percepiscono il campo gravitazionale e il campo magnetico terrestre. In natura le api costruiscono i favi in serie parallele secondo una direzione costante, questo modo di costruire sembra per l’influenza del campo magnetico terrestre.Orientamento dei favi con muschio su alberoCrescita del muschio e punti cardinali
Il canto dell’ape regina
Con canto della regina si intende il rumore emesso dalle api regine. Le regine adulte comunicano attraverso segnali vibranti: suoni acuti da parte delle regine vergini nelle loro celle regali e modulati da parte delle regine libere nella colonia. Una regina vergine può emettere il canto frequentemente prima di emergere dalla sua cella e per un breve periodo in seguito. Le regine accompagnate possono emettere questo richiamo brevemente dopo essere state rilasciate in un alveare. Il canto è descritto in vari modi come la trombetta suonante e schiamazzante di un bambino. È abbastanza rumoroso e può essere sentito chiaramente fuori dall’alveare. Il canto è prodotto dal moto del volo senza il movimento delle ali. L’energia della vibrazione risuona nel torace.
Durante il canto della regina, le operaie si immobilizzano !
link video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYQAt8ZO7OA
La campagna lanciata il 19 Aprile 2015 ed inizialmente stimata di $70.000 USD, s’è chiusa raccogliendone $12.211.609 USD !!! (con un’efficienza del 17.445%)
Nella contea cinese di Hanyuan, situata all’interno della provincia cinese di Sichuan, non ci sono più api. Quando arriva la stagione della fioritura, gli impollinatori salgono sugli alberi e fanno manualmente il lavoro che in natura viene svolto dalle api operose che ci regalano il miele.
La sparizione delle api non è casuale, ma dovuta a responsabilità umane: per anni nella contea di Hanyuan sono stati utilizzati pesticidi che hanno fatto scomparire le api impollinatrici. E così, ogni primavera, alla fioritura dei peri, i contadini si arrampicano sui rami e iniziano a impollinare i fiori a mano.
Le fotografie della gallery di apertura possono sembrare surreali, ma è quanto accade ormai da anni nella contea di Hanyuan che continua a descriversi come la “capitale mondiale del pero”. La redditività a lungo termine dell’impollinazione a mano è messa in discussione dall’aumento dei costi del lavoro e dal calo dei rendimenti della frutta.
HANYUAN, CHINA -MARCH 25: A Chinese farmer pollinates a pear tree by hand on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA -MARCH 25: A Chinese farmer climbs during hand pollination of pear trees on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA -MARCH 25: Chinese farmer He Meixia, 26, pollinates a pear tree by hand on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA -MARCH 25: Chinese farmer He Guolin, 53, hand pollinates flowers on a pear tree on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA -MARCH 25: Chinese farmer He Guolin, 53, holds a stick with chicken feathers used to hand pollinate flowers on a pear tree on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA -MARCH 25: A Chinese farmer rests in a tree while pollinating pear trees by hand on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA – MARCH 25: Chinese farmers pollinate pear trees by hand on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA -MARCH 25: Chinese farmer He Guolin, 53, climbs in a tree during hand pollination on their pear trees on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA -MARCH 25: Chinese farmers pollinate pear trees by hand on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA -MARCH 25: A Chinese farmer pollinates a pear tree by hand on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA – MARCH 25: Chinese farmers pollinate pear trees by hand on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA – MARCH 26: A Chinese farmer climbs in a pear tree as she pollinates the flowers by hand at a farm on March 26, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA -MARCH 25: Chinese farmer He Meixia, 26, pollinates a pear tree by hand on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA -MARCH 25: Chinese farmer He Meixia, 26, pollinates a pear tree by hand on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA – MARCH 26: A Chinese farmer climbs in a pear tree as he pollinates the flowers by hand at a farm on March 26, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA – MARCH 25: Chinese farmers pollinate pear trees by hand on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA – MARCH 25: A Chinese farmer pollinates pear trees by hand on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA -MARCH 25: Chinese farmer He Meixia, 26, pollinates a pear tree by hand on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA -MARCH 25: A Chinese farmer pollinates a pear tree by hand on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA -MARCH 25: Chinese farmer Luo Mingzhen, 53, takes a break during hand pollination on their pear trees on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
HANYUAN, CHINA -MARCH 25: A Chinese farmer displays the pollen used to pollinate pear trees by hand on March 25, 2016 in Hanyuan County, Sichuan province, China. Heavy pesticide use on fruit trees in the area caused a severe decline in wild bee populations, and trees are now pollinated by hand in order to produce better fruit. Farmers pollinate the pear blossom individually. Hanyuan County describes itself as the ‘world’s pear capital’, but the long-term viability of hand pollination is being challenged by rising labor costs and declining fruit yields. A recent United Nations biodiversity report warned that populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species could face extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. It noted that animal pollination is responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production, meaning declines pose potential risks to the world’s major crops and food supply. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
<> on April 1, 2016 in UNSPECIFIED, China.
La Cina non è il solo luogo in cui scompaiono gli impollinatori: sta succedendo in Inghilterra e negli Stati Uniti dove spariscono bombi e calabroni. Secondo Potts il numero degli alveari statunitensi è sceso dai 5,5 milioni del 1961 ai 2,5 milioni del 2012; secondo le ultime stime in possesso del ricercatore ora dovrebbero essere circa 2,7 milioni, la metà rispetto a mezzo secolo fa.
Un futuro senza api?
Se l’uomo sarà così follemente cieco da avvelenare la vita delle api facendole estinguere, la verità è che comunque non potremmo mai farne a meno!
Greenpeace presenta il corto di animazione “Robobees”, ambientato in un futuro non troppo lontano, nel quale le api sono ormai estinte. E quale sarà la risposta delle grandi aziende
agrochimiche, secondo gli ideatori del corto? Produrranno delle api artificiali per impollinare i campi dai quali dipende la produzione alimentare.
Api Vs. Calabrone gigante asiatico (Japanese Giant Hornet)
Le api contro il Calabrone gigante asiatico, una formidabile macchina da guerra, ne bastano 30 per distruggere totalmente una colonia di 30.000 api da miele.
I calabroni adulti non possono digerire le proteine solide, perché il loro peziolo (congiunzione tra torace e addome) è troppo stretto, così non mangiano le loro prede, ma le masticano ottenendo una pasta che danno alle loro larve; esse producono in cambio un liquido chiaro, la miscela aminoacida di vespa, che poi gli adulti consumano.
Le api giapponesi, della sottospecie Apis cerana japonica, hanno sviluppato un metodo per combattere il calabrone. Quando un’operaia di calabrone localizza un nido, le api la fanno avvicinare e poi la ricoprono completamente con i loro corpi, producendo calore (fino a 47° gradi) mediante i muscoli alari ed arrostendo il calabrone. Questo metodo funziona fintanto che le api riescono ad abbindolare il calabrone. Se esso sopravvive, tornerà assieme a numerosi altri compagni che saranno in grado di estinguere la colonia. Le api europee, non essendosi evolute nell’ambiente naturale del calabrone gigante, non hanno sviluppato questa tecnica: le colonie di api europee in Giappone sono minacciate e spesso sterminate, nel giro di pochissimi anni, da sciami di calabroni.
Mentre l’angolo di 109° e 28′ è l’angolo tetraedrico disegnato dalla parte finale delle celle delle api ed utilizzato per far combaciare le celle tra di loro nella costruzione finale del favo : 
