Close-up photo of a native bee with a black body and orange-banded abdomen perched on a bright yellow flower against a soft green background. A dark translucent text box overlays the lower half of the image, with a white hand-drawn arrow pointing right. The overlaid text reads: “Native bee diversity underpins ecosystems. Most pollination in natural ecosystems is carried out by native bees rather than managed honey bees. Sequencing native bee genomes helps reveal the diversity and traits that sustain resilient pollination networks.” Pictured: The leafcutter bee Megachile bee 🍃 pictured there are 1,500 species of Megachile bees globally. Eastern carpenter bee 🐝 native to North America.
Close-up photo of a large black bee with iridescent blue wings clinging to vivid purple flowers against a pale green background. A dark translucent text box overlays the lower center of the image, with a white hand-drawn arrow pointing right. The overlaid text reads: “Pollinators are declining. Habitat loss, pesticides, climate change, and disease are putting many bee species at risk. Genome data can reveal the genetic basis of resilience and vulnerability.” Pictured: Eastern carpenter bee 🐝 native to North America.
Extreme close-up of a bee’s face and antennae against a dark background, showing large black eyes and fine hairs in sharp detail. A dark translucent text box overlays the lower half of the image, with a white hand-drawn arrow pointing right. The overlaid text reads: “Bees evolved remarkable social systems. From solitary bees to complex eusocial colonies, genomes help scientists study the evolution of cooperation, communication, and caste systems.” Pictured: Sweat bee (Halictus spp.) can be solitary or social depending on climate.
🧬🐝 Most bee genomics research has focused on a small number of species, especially honey bees and bumblebees. But there are 20,000+ bee species worldwide, most of them native. Expanding bee genomics can strengthen conservation and deepen our understanding of pollination 🌍
#BeeGenomes #biodiversity
