You lift the lid of the hive slowly.
The sound changes immediately. A low, steady hum rises as thousands of honey bees adjust to the sudden light. You watch their movement before you touch anything: How they cluster. How they fan their wings. Whether the colony feels calm or off.
This is what an apiary inspector does before a single frame is pulled.
Apiary inspection isn’t just about opening bee hives. It’s about reading them and spotting subtle signs of stress, disease or imbalance before they spread beyond a single colony.
So how do apiary inspectors go from beekeeping enthusiasts to trained professionals doing regulatory or inspection work? We’ll break it all down for you in this guide.
Here’s how to become an apiary inspector.
An apiary inspector’s primary role is to monitor the health of honey bee colonies and prevent the spread of regulated diseases and pests. This work protects individual beekeepers, surrounding apiaries and larger pollination systems that food production depends on.
Common responsibilities include:
Much of the job happens in the field, where inspectors open hives and analyze colonies in real time. When they’re not acting as first responders for each hive’s thousands of bees, apiary inspectors document findings, advise beekeepers and coordinate with agricultural agencies.
Sure, honey bees produce honey. But their real value goes far beyond the bear-shaped jar at the grocery store.
Honey bees pollinate crops that support both local agriculture and global food systems. In fact, bees pollinate about 75% of the world’s food crops, particularly fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. When colonies decline, the effects ripple outward, impacting farmers, ecosystems and food availability globally.
Apiary inspectors help reduce those risks by catching problems early, before they spread or escalate. Early detection helps to:
Inspecting bee hives requires more than comfort around bees (and a tolerance for the occasional sting). Successful inspectors often have:
Many inspectors are also trained apiculturists. They bring extensive knowledge to the role, including hands-on experience with colony management and an eye for subtle changes in behavior or brood patterns: skills essential for effective hive inspections.
While there’s no single “apiary inspector” degree program, there is a clear academic pathway.
Most professionals in this role study:
Wondering if you can Google a few search terms and figure things out as you go? You’ll get some foundational knowledge that way, but for apiary inspectors, formal education matters.
Apiary inspection is diagnostic in nature. Inspectors need to recognize symptoms of diseases like American foulbrood or infestations like varroa mites, understand their causes and recommend appropriate responses—before problems spread.
Learn more about our online beekeeping graduate programs.
There’s no single, rigid path to becoming an apiary inspector. Requirements vary by state, employer and individual background, but most professionals follow a similar progression.
Coursework in entomology provides essential knowledge of insect physiology, behavior and disease. This prepares you to identify pests, recognize signs of colony stress and understand how environmental factors affect hive health.
Hands-on experience with apiary beekeeping helps you understand how healthy colonies function (and how stressed ones don’t).
Many aspiring inspectors start by:
If you’re interested in a long-term or regulatory-focused career, consider pursuing graduate-level training in entomology or beekeeping. Advanced education can strengthen your ability to assess hive health, interpret findings and apply research-backed solutions.
Apiary inspectors are often employed or contracted through state departments of agriculture. Hiring requirements vary by state, but employers typically use scientific training and documented beekeeping experience to evaluate qualifications.
From emerging pathogens to environmental stressors, the pressures honey bees face continue to evolve. Apiary inspectors stay current by:
No two days are identical — and that’s part of the appeal of being an apiary inspector. One day, you’re opening hives in the field; the next, you’re reviewing inspection notes and advising beekeepers on next steps.
The day-to-day work of an apiary inspector depends on location, season and colony health. A typical day may include:
It’s physical work. It’s analytical work. And it’s deeply rooted in applied science.
For many honey bee enthusiasts, curiosity doesn’t stay a side interest for long.
At the University of Florida, you can turn your passion into professional training through a fully online graduate credential in entomology. Choose an online 30-credit master’s degree or a focused online 15-credit graduate certificate in beekeeping — both designed for working professionals and able to be completed in as little as one year.
Interested in what comes next?
Explore what UF’s entomology graduates are doing — and how they experienced the program.
You lift the lid of the hive slowly. The sound changes immediately. A low, steady hum rises as thousands of honey bees adjust to the sudden light. You watch their movement before you touch anything: How they cluster. How they fan their wings. Whether the colony feels calm or off. This is what an apiary…
75% of crops producing fruits or seeds for human food depend on pollinators. But commercial beekeepers in the U.S. lost 62% of their colonies between 2024 and 2025. Poor pollination is shrinking yields for key crops like blueberries, coffee and apples by up to 60%. And as our hard-working pollinators decline, fewer crops can thrive. …
Bees do have favorite flowers. In general, they’re drawn to nectar-rich blooms in shades of blue and yellow, especially flowers with sweet scents and petals that make landing easy. Other pollinators have preferences too, and learning what different species look for can help you better support pollination in your garden or landscape. Let’s take a closer look at the flower traits bees prefer…
75% of crops producing fruits or seeds for human food depend on pollinators. But commercial beekeepers in the U.S. lost 62% of their colonies between 2024 and 2025.
Poor pollination is shrinking yields for key crops like blueberries, coffee and apples by up to 60%. And as our hard-working pollinators decline, fewer crops can thrive.
So, what’s guiding the future of beekeeping? Sustainability.
Sustainable beekeeping means managing bees in a way that supports long-term colony health, local ecosystems and responsible resource use — without relying on harmful chemicals or overexploitation. It’s becoming the backbone of modern apiculture, and it’s changing how beekeepers will handle their daily work.
Let’s explore five sustainable breakthroughs reshaping the beekeeping industry.
Imagine your phone buzzing: “Hive 4 is overheating: fix it now.”
Smart hives use IoT sensors and AI to monitor temperature, humidity, pests, feeding needs and colony activity in real time. If there’s a drastic change in any of these levels, the beekeeper gets an alert. Some systems even automate feeding.
And it’s working: BeeHero’s 2023 Healthy Hive Score found 33% fewer colony losses in IoT-enabled hives compared to the national average. Smart hives mean less stress for bees and less guesswork for the beekeepers.
This broader move toward remote, data-driven hive management is projected to reach 57% adoption by 2026 and boost crop yields by 7%. The University of Florida’s Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab already partners with beekeepers to:
All of this happens through apps and digital networks, so even small-scale beekeepers can access research-backed insights.
Farmers are also creating healthier, more sustainable habitats for bees by:
These practices are part of a movement called regenerative agriculture, which has shown benefits both for bee health and overall environmental stability.
To reduce carbon emissions and operational costs, beekeepers now use:
These options are better for the planet, cut long-term costs and are healthier for our ecosystems — not just bees!
Some startups also build hives using eco-friendly, insulated materials (like sheep’s wool) to regulate temperature and moisture. This greatly reduces stress on bees, especially in the winter.
Listen. Hear a light buzz in the background? It might not be the fluorescent lighting. Bees may be living on your office rooftop — or on top of your apartment building.
Urban corporate beekeeping brings bee hives into major cities, placing them on office buildings, apartment complexes — even tucking them away in parking structures.
Believe it or not, more than 750,000 bees live in downtown Houston, their hives nestled on rooftops, terraces and in parking garages.
Workshops make it easy for anyone to learn about bees and pollinator protection. These projects help reconnect people with nature while boosting local pollinator numbers. Urban beekeeping merges citizen science with professional entomology — a win-win for everyone.
Instead of just focusing on honey production, breeders are now prioritizing bees that resist disease and can survive increasing climate swings. This shift is vital for maintaining a stronger, more adaptable bee population as climate and disease pressures grow.
Another important factor? Ensuring bees have adequate food stores, like sugar syrup, candy boards or fondant. Protein supplements also help where pollen is scarce.
Additionally, the world’s first vaccine for bees to combat foulbrood is entering trials, while other research is exploring how probiotics in honey bee diets can boost immunity.
If current trends continue, U.S. bee populations will see further decline. But it’s not all bad news:
Sustainability in beekeeping isn’t easy to implement, but it offers major opportunities for the industry.
Here’s what you need to remember:
Want to do more than keep bees? Even shape what comes next for them? The University of Florida’s fully online entomology graduate programs prepare you to protect bee populations and drive change in the industry. Study on your schedule and gain invaluable knowledge in:
Earn your master’s or upskill with a graduate certificate in one of four tracks:
Whether you’re just starting or ready to lead your hives into a sustainable future, UF’s science-based training connects you to the latest research, crucial innovations and a network of like-minded experts driving beekeeping forward.
Move from hive hobbyist to pollinator protector. There’s a place for you (and your bees) in Gator Nation.
Sources:
https://www.startus-insights.com/innovators-guide/beekeeping-trends/
https://www.beecube.io/post/revolutionary-innovations-in-beekeeping
https://portal.nifa.usda.gov/web/crisprojectpages/0230335-bip-a-network-for-monitoring-and-maintaining-bee-health-and-pollination-services.html
You lift the lid of the hive slowly. The sound changes immediately. A low, steady hum rises as thousands of honey bees adjust to the sudden light. You watch their movement before you touch anything: How they cluster. How they fan their wings. Whether the colony feels calm or off. This is what an apiary…
75% of crops producing fruits or seeds for human food depend on pollinators. But commercial beekeepers in the U.S. lost 62% of their colonies between 2024 and 2025. Poor pollination is shrinking yields for key crops like blueberries, coffee and apples by up to 60%. And as our hard-working pollinators decline, fewer crops can thrive. …
Bees do have favorite flowers. In general, they’re drawn to nectar-rich blooms in shades of blue and yellow, especially flowers with sweet scents and petals that make landing easy. Other pollinators have preferences too, and learning what different species look for can help you better support pollination in your garden or landscape. Let’s take a closer look at the flower traits bees prefer…
Bees do have favorite flowers. In general, they’re drawn to nectar-rich blooms in shades of blue and yellow, especially flowers with sweet scents and petals that make landing easy.
Other pollinators have preferences too, and learning what different species look for can help you better support pollination in your garden or landscape. Let’s take a closer look at the flower traits bees prefer and how other pollinators choose where to land.
Pollinators are animals that help plants reproduce by moving pollen from flower to flower. These animals visit flowers in search of mates, nesting materials and food. Flowers offer nectar (rich in sugars) and pollen (packed with proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals): everything a pollinator needs for energy, growth, flight and reproduction.
The three major categories of pollinators are:
Birds and bats do have preferences. These unsung heroes of pollination prefer larger flowering plants. Birds help with not only pollinating but also spreading seeds. Bats, being nocturnal creatures, tend to pollinate nighttime flowering plants like mangoes and bananas.
Honeybees alone pollinate 80% of all flowering plants, including over 130 types of fruits and vegetables. While some bee species prefer specific plants, many bees aren’t as picky, visiting a wide range of flowers in search of nectar and pollen.
Some native bee species are specialists, however, meaning they prefer specific plants they’ve co-evolved with over time. For example, the Gulf Coast evening bee only gathers pollen and nectar from the plant species Balduina angustifolia. Other bee species, like the bumblebee, are generalists, collecting nectar and pollen from native and non-native flowers alike.
Whether they’re picky or not, bees are on the lookout for:
Bees may get most of the attention, but they aren’t the only insects that help pollinate flowering plants. Beetles, butterflies, moths, wasps, ants and even flies are drawn to different flowers based on factors like color, shape, scent and bloom time.
Beetles have been around for millions of years, pollinating plants before dinosaurs walked the Earth. They prefer magnolias, water lilies and anise: modern-day descendants of the ancient flowering plants these insects evolved with.
Not only do butterflies pollinate, but they also migrate incredible distances. Monarchs, for instance, travel 2,500 miles between Eastern North America and the Sierra Madre in Mexico every year. When resting their orange and black wings, they prefer to land on broad, flat-faced flowers like milkweeds.
Mostly nocturnal, moths prefer pale or white flowers that open in the late afternoon or evening. Many moths have long tongues, allowing them to reach nectar in flowers like morning glory, tobacco, yucca and gardenia that other pollinators can’t access.
Wasps, hornets and yellowjackets lack the hairy legs and abdomens that help bees carry large amounts of pollen. Still, they contribute enough to earn an honorable mention. The fig wasp, for instance, pollinates nearly 1,000 species of figs.
Ants love nectar and typically go for small, low-growing flowers. But that doesn’t make them great pollinators. Wingless worker ants are unlikely to cross-pollinate, having to crawl into flowers to reach nectar. Some ant species actually secrete a natural substance that acts as an antibiotic, killing pollen grains.
Although flies can’t carry pollen as effectively as bees, some like the hoverfly or March fly are pretty good pollinators. Flies prefer flowers that are dull to dark brown or purple, including those that other insects might find unpleasant, like the striking red trillium, which smells of rotten flesh.
All pollinators have a role to play, from the fat and fuzzy bumblebee to the large and vibrant monarch butterfly. Together, they pollinate about 80% of flowering plants and over 75% of the staple crop plants. Without pollinators, fruits, vegetables and nuts would become rare luxuries. Yet despite their importance, pollinators face constant threats from pests, pesticides, habitat loss, disease and climate change.
Each of us can help protect pollinators. Planting a garden with pollinator-friendly flowers is a great start. But if you’re ready to take your passion even further, why not turn it into a career?
The University of Florida, home to one of the world’s largest entomology departments, offers a variety of online graduate programs perfect for anyone ready to dive into the world of insects. Attend UF online and you can earn a master’s degree or graduate certificate in:
Want to take a bigger role in protecting pollinators? Explore our online entomology programs. When you’re ready, apply to become a Gator. Together, we can make a difference for pollinators and the world they help sustain.
Sources:
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2022/09/14/pollinators-its-not-all-about-the-bees/
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/gardening-with-wildlife/gardening-for-bees/
https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/pollination
You lift the lid of the hive slowly. The sound changes immediately. A low, steady hum rises as thousands of honey bees adjust to the sudden light. You watch their movement before you touch anything: How they cluster. How they fan their wings. Whether the colony feels calm or off. This is what an apiary…
75% of crops producing fruits or seeds for human food depend on pollinators. But commercial beekeepers in the U.S. lost 62% of their colonies between 2024 and 2025. Poor pollination is shrinking yields for key crops like blueberries, coffee and apples by up to 60%. And as our hard-working pollinators decline, fewer crops can thrive. …
Bees do have favorite flowers. In general, they’re drawn to nectar-rich blooms in shades of blue and yellow, especially flowers with sweet scents and petals that make landing easy. Other pollinators have preferences too, and learning what different species look for can help you better support pollination in your garden or landscape. Let’s take a closer look at the flower traits bees prefer…
That honey you enjoy is sweet and tasty, but do you know what’s in it? There’s plenty of sugar, of course. Also vitamins, minerals and protein in varying amounts. But some of the other genetic materials found in honey may surprise you.
Here we’ll examine the field of honey metagenomics — the study of genetic material found in honey — and see what it reveals about the honey bees that help produce it.
Ahh, honey: a natural food source with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and other health benefits. Honey bees have no idea about these properties, however. They just want a handy food source for the winter, when nectar is scarce. Perhaps they know, as we do, that honey has no expiration date.
There’s a universe of genetic material in this seemingly simple, sticky syrup. Experts in the honey metagenomics field act as “diet detectives” that focus exclusively on one type of eater. Here’s what their work uncovers:
With nectar as one of its primary raw materials, honey is fundamentally made of plants transformed and enhanced by bees. Honey bees’ taste in flowers and other plants is broad and includes many we use to decorate our homes (sunflowers — a honey bee favorite), make tea (bergamot), enhance a dish (rosemary), stave off colds (echinacea) and more.
Honey metagenomics can help us determine what the honey bees that produced a particular batch of honey usually ate. Using DNA analysis, researchers can pinpoint specific plant types. Such tests are primarily used on wild bees, as beekeepers know what their bees eat, and when harvesting commercially, so producers can label product packaging accurately (e.g., “orange blossom honey”).
Just as honey metagenomics can help determine the plant sources of honey, it can also identify its geographic origins. In commercial honey production, this is important, since some locations are considered to produce the finest honey for its flavor, purity or health properties.
By monitoring the honey output of a hive, metagenomics researchers can discover problematic microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi that may be present in the bee population. Some types of microorganisms cause diseases like Nosema, potentially compromising the health of the bees and contributing to phenomena such as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), in which worker bees abandon their colony and queen, often killing the entire hive.
Analysis of honey also enables researchers to assess the environmental health of a specified area. It can identify and measure the levels of environmental pollutants and other contaminants that may be present.
We previously outlined some health benefits of honey, but it also poses some risks to humans, as honey metagenomics has shown. Honey is not recommended for consumption by anyone under 12 months of age, as it may contain the bacteria that causes botulism.
If honey bees consume nectar from poisonous plants and a person eats raw honey containing the toxin, they can suffer ill effects. Further, as bees ingest pollen with nectar, honey can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals.
Insects are fascinating, often frustrating creatures that nonetheless serve important functions in the natural world. Advanced knowledge of insects is not only enlightening, it can also help you excel in your current entomology career or enable you to enter the field in a variety of professional roles.
Acknowledged for having the number-one-ranked entomology and nematology program in the world by the Center for World University Rankings, the University of Florida offers online graduate programs that provide that crucial knowledge:
Choose our general master’s degree program or focus on an area of professional or personal interest by pursuing one of four graduate certificate specializations and earn two graduate credentials in the same amount of time. If honey bees are your passion, we recommend the Beekeeping specialization, featuring multiple courses devoted to our furry flying friends!
If you prefer not to pursue a master’s degree program at this time, you can complete a 15-credit graduate certificate in any of the same specializations, including our Graduate Certificate in Beekeeping.
These programs do not require GRE scores, a thesis or campus attendance!
Learn more about our programs or apply now.
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6209200/
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msystems.01182-23
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.1099522/full
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-honey/art-20363819
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-84174-0
For some, beekeeping is a unique pastime. For others, it’s a career they’ve spent years building up from a blossoming hobby to a thriving enterprise. Whether you’re passionate about tending the hives in your backyard or building a profession in apiculture, beekeeping plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural and environmental sustainability.
As you explore ways to deepen your knowledge, you might come across different educational pathways, such as graduate programs and extension programs. But what sets these two options apart — and which one aligns best with your goals?
Let’s break it down, so you can make an informed decision about which program is right for you.
A beekeeping graduate program results in a graduate credential, such as a graduate certificate or a master’s degree. The UF Entomology and Nematology department offers both options for those interested in pursuing a career in apiculture: an online Master of Science in Entomology and Nematology (which can be earned in tandem with our specialized Graduate Certificate in Beekeeping) or a standalone online Graduate Certificate in Beekeeping.
But what can you expect from a graduate-level beekeeping program? While we can’t speak for every school, here’s what you can expect from our online beekeeping programs:
Unlike a formal graduate degree, beekeeper extension programs are non-degree educational paths offered by universities or professional beekeeping associations. They’re ideal for individuals who want to learn more about the beekeeping industry and how to start and manage their own hives.
Here’s what you can typically expect from a beekeeper extension program:
When it comes to choosing which beekeeping program option is right for you, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Consider the following factors to help you choose a program that aligns with your needs:
Choosing between graduate programs and extension programs ultimately depends on your long-term goals. If you’re just beginning to explore beekeeping, an extension program is a great way to dive in, learn the fundamentals and start your journey as an apiculturist. Who knows? That initial spark could grow into a passion for beekeeping, guiding you toward a graduate program and a fulfilling career in the field.
Ready to take your beekeeping hobby or career to the next level? The University of Florida is here to support your goals. With fully online graduate programs in entomology — beekeeping included — you can earn a graduate credential in beekeeping in as little as a year.
We also offer:
Explore our graduate-level programs to find the path that’s right for you.
Ever wonder how that golden honey makes the journey from hive to jar as you drizzle it over your favorite sweet treats? Beekeepers play an essential role in not only ensuring the health of the hive (and all its buzzing inhabitants) but also the removal of honey once it’s ready for extraction.
But what do beekeepers do all day? Are they permanently stationed alongside the hive, clad in their beekeeping suit, dipping their gloved hands into the bee boxes in search of honey?
While you won’t find beekeepers elbow-deep in hives, you can find them geared up in their bee suits, attentively nurturing their 60,000 to 80,000 little friends, especially in the wee hours of the morning.
Join us as we explore a day in the life of a beekeeper.
Many full-time beekeepers begin their journeys as enthusiastic hobbyists. They often read insightful books to gain a better understanding of the practice and enroll in beekeeping courses to familiarize themselves with the fundamentals.
Once they feel equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills, aspiring beekeepers sometimes seek out experienced mentors who are willing to guide them through hands-on learning experiences. This allows them to ask questions and learn at their own pace until they’re comfortable moving to the next phase of beekeeping: managing their own hive.
For both hobbyists and professional beekeepers, when it’s time to inspect the hives, the day begins early. And we mean early—sometimes before sunrise. Beekeepers start their days at the crack of dawn because as the temperatures rise, the bees become more active, making them more agitated and defensive.
But before heading into the apiary, beekeepers don their protective clothing, including a veil, gloves and a bee suit, to avoid any potential stings. Then, smoker in hand, they light a slow-burning fuel in the chamber, creating a consistent flow of white smoke from its nozzle.
Before opening the hive, they’ll aim the smoke toward the entrance to the hive, effectively tricking the bees into thinking their hive is on fire. To outsiders, it may seem like a cruel practice, but the smoke is cool and nonintrusive, and it’s an effective way to distract the bees while the beekeepers inspect their hives, looking for the following:
Hive inspections typically occur once every two weeks during the active season. In addition to checking for the above criteria inside the hive, beekeepers also take time to sanitize and maintain their hive tools and check the integrity of their spare hive boxes and frames. If necessary, they’ll swap out old frames for new ones or perform hive splits to manage a growing population.
The timing of harvesting varies depending on a beekeeper’s location but generally occurs around mid-to-late summer. If this is a beekeeper’s first year with their hive, beekeepers typically refrain from harvesting the honey their bees produce, as the collective hive often relies on this supply to survive through the winter.
After that first year, however, beekeepers can comfortably begin harvesting their hive’s honey, which can amount to a whopping 25 to 100 pounds, depending on factors such as the hive’s strength and the floral sources the bees were using to forage.
To harvest the honey, beekeepers begin by removing the bees from the frames of honey supers (a section of the beehive that stores honey) using a clearer board. Then, they’ll uncap the sealed honey cells with a serrated knife. From there, they put the uncapped frames inside a honey extractor (a clever cyclical contraption that spins the frames, flinging honey onto the side of the extractor). From there, the honey pools at the bottom, where the beekeepers can collect it in its rawest, most delectable form.
Whether you’re just digging into the early stages of beekeeping fundamentals or you’re a seasoned apiary interested in learning more advanced skills, the University of Florida offers two unique online graduate programs that will help you gain the knowledge needed to begin or advance your career in the world of beekeeping:
Graduate Certificate in Beekeeping
This flexible 15-credit online program lets you choose from a wide range of elective courses depending on your interests and career path, including Graduate Survey of Entomology, Insect Toxicology, and Ecology and Conservation of Pollinators. You can complete the online coursework in as little as three semesters from almost anywhere with an internet connection.
Master’s Degree in Entomology and Nematology, Specializing in Beekeeping
This 30-credit online program provides a broad education on entomology topics while allowing you to focus on your area of interest: beekeeping. In addition, after you finish the program, you’ll graduate with not one, but two credentials: a master’s degree in entomology and nematology and a graduate certificate in beekeeping.
At UF, we offer year-round start dates, affordable tuition costs and asynchronous classes that make learning on your busy schedule a cinch. Take the first step toward turning your hobby into a career. Apply today!
Sources:
https://www.science.org.au/curious/earth-environment/honeybee-hive
https://newsroom.co.nz/2021/12/13/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-beekeeper/
https://bee-health.extension.org/seasonality-of-brood-and-adult-populations-basic-bee-biology-for-beekeepers/
https://www.miller-mfg.com/blog/when-to-harvest-honey/
https://www.beeandbloom.com/blog/fabqs-how-much-honey
Bees have a close connection with pollination, and their appetite for nectar and pollen has a huge impact on our survival on this planet. When they fly from one flowering plant to another, bees transfer pollen between the plants, helping those plants fulfill their natural cycle of reproduction. This process is critical to us because flowering plants help produce the oxygen we breathe, clean the water we drink and provide us with edible fruit. In fact, federal agencies report that bee pollination helps produce one quarter of the food eaten by the U.S. population.
But these busy bees are not alone in their vital contributions to our existence. Did you know that all manner of bugs, as well as bats and birds, also pollinate? Any entomologist will also tell you that not all pollinators know how to fly. Let’s give some of our planet’s unsung heroes of pollination the long-overdue credit they deserve.
When not distracted by manmade light sources, moths are drawn to flowers and other sources of nectar for their diet.
A close relative of moths, butterflies enjoy a similar diet, though butterflies prefer to eat when the sun is out.
By some estimates, our planet is home to 2,000 species of pollinating birds, including parrots, honeycreepers, orioles, sunbirds and insect-like hummingbirds.
Lizards and similar reptiles love to eat insects and then wash their dinner down with nectar from a range of flowering plants.
If you enjoy eating mango or perhaps sipping a nice, chilled margarita, you have bats to thank — at least, in part. Bats pollinate a variety of fruits, including bananas and mango, as well as plants like agave, from which the tequila in a margarita is derived.
Bats also enjoy eating mosquitoes: a dietary preference for which all humans in short sleeves or short pants are grateful. Only female mosquitoes consume blood, but both male and female mosquitoes drink nectar prior to mating. Mosquitoes have been observed pollinating orchids.
They may have a bad reputation due to their attraction to animal waste, but flies also enjoy flower nectar. The hover fly subspecies pollinates many of our most popular fruits, including berries, apples and peaches.
Believed to be the largest pollinator on earth, lemurs bury their noses inside flowers in search of tasty nectar, often extracting pollen and seeds in the process.
Unlike its insect-eating American cousin the opossum, Australia’s mouse-like honey possum prefers a diet of nectar and pollen from select flowers.
They may take their time doing it, but slugs provide pollination benefits to our planet, dining on some forms of nectar among a broader plant-based diet.
The University of Florida is the proud home to the world’s number-one-ranked entomology program. Our online master’s degrees and graduate certificates can help propel you to success within an entomology-related career in government, postsecondary education, private research firms or other fields. All courses are led by faculty composed of some of today’s foremost entomology researchers.
Throughout your program, you’ll become intimately familiar with a multitude of insects and other arthropods, exploring crucial topics such as helping beneficial species thrive while minimizing the impact of harmful species. Engaging online technology will bring the curriculum to life and connect you with faculty and classmates along the way. All classes and labs are conducted entirely online, enabling you to pursue career-enhancing entomology credentials from practically anywhere in the world. No campus visits are required.
Here’s a closer look at our program options and benefits:
Online Master of Science (Non-Thesis)
See what a master’s degree or graduate certificate from the number-one-ranked entomology program in the world can do for you! Review our programs or apply now.
Sources:
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/blog/thats-not-a-bee-unusual-pollinator-species/
https://www.thoughtco.com/insect-pollinators-that-arent-bees-or-butterflies-1967996
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/animals/unusual.shtml
https://www.usda.gov/pollinators
