Podcast Summary
Exploring the World of Native Bees: Native bees are crucial for pollination and ecosystem health yet often overlooked, and Crystal Hickman's passion for these creatures led her to become a National Geographic Explorer and author.
While European honeybees have been the focus of beekeeping and agriculture in the US, native bee species, which have been present for eons, have been overlooked. These native bees play crucial roles in pollination and ecosystem health, yet none of them are recognized as state insects. Crystal Hickman, a photographer, educator, and advocate for native bees, shares her passion for these often overlooked creatures and their habitats. Crystal's journey into bee appreciation began in her childhood when she was fascinated by insects and photography. She later left a career in office jobs to pursue her interests, leading her to become a 2023 National Geographic Explorer grant recipient and author. By focusing on native bees, we can appreciate the marvels of nature that have been right in front of us all along.
Unexpected opportunities from passion: Passionately pursuing hobbies can lead to unexpected career opportunities and meeting influential figures.
Determination and passion can lead to unexpected opportunities. Krystal, a fan of the British TV series "Skins," started drawing portraits of its actors and shared her work online, which caught the attention of the show's creators. This led to her being hired to work on the show. She continued to explore her interests, picking up photography and creating art with strong messages, even meeting influential figures like a founding member of Black Lives Matter. Through her persistence and creativity, Krystal turned her hobbies into a successful career. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of having original sources for inspiration and the power of social media in sharing and showcasing one's work.
The transformative power of photography in connecting with nature: Photography, especially nature photography, can deepen our connection to nature, reveal its intricacies, and inspire conservation efforts.
The love for photography, especially nature photography, can lead to a deeper connection with nature and a desire to protect it. This was exemplified in the discussion where the speaker shared her experience with using a DSLR camera and how it allowed her to appreciate the intricacies of nature that were previously overlooked in cell phone pictures. She also mentioned the therapeutic effects of disconnecting from technology and immersing oneself in nature. Additionally, the speaker's interest in bee photography was sparked by a misquoted Einstein quote, which led her to learn about the importance of bees in pollination and ultimately inspired her to contribute to their conservation. Overall, the conversation highlighted the transformative power of photography in fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world and inspiring action towards its preservation.
The history of California's environment and its inhabitants: California's history is marked by the displacement of native populations and non-native invasive species, such as mustard, which reduce biodiversity and displace native plants and pollinators. Restoring balance requires recognizing the importance of native habitats and supporting native pollinators.
The history of California is marked by the displacement of native populations and the spread of non-native species, particularly invasive ones like mustard. This history is not always visible or recognized, and it has significant impacts on the environment and its inhabitants. For instance, many people are unaware that the yellow fields of wildflowers they see are often dominated by invasive mustard, which displaces native plants and reduces biodiversity. Similarly, the focus on saving honeybees, which are non-native, often overshadows the need to protect native bees and their habitats. The loss of native habitats is a major contributor to the decline of bee populations and overall biodiversity. However, there are positive signs, such as farms that integrate native ecosystems and support native pollinators, which can help restore balance and promote healthy ecosystems.
Appreciating the Diversity of Native Bees: Native bees, from tiny to large, play essential roles in ecosystems and deserve preservation. Learn about their differences and the importance of their roles in nature.
The natural world is constantly changing, and many species, including native bees, are at risk of disappearing due to development and human activities like fire abatement. These bees, though often small and seemingly insignificant, play crucial roles in ecosystems and are worth preserving. Native bees come in various sizes, shapes, and colors, with some as small as 2 millimeters (like Perdita minima) and others as large as 2.5 inches (like the mega Kylie resin bee). All female bees have stingers, but not all are easy to sting humans. For example, bumblebees, with their intimidating black and yellow stripes, are larger and harder to ignore, making them a great starting point for those interested in native bees. Understanding and appreciating the diversity of native bees can bring joy and a deeper connection to nature.
Discovering the Differences: Valley Carpenter Bees vs. Mason Bees: Native bees, like valley carpenter bees and mason bees, have distinct appearances and behaviors. Most are solitary and play crucial roles in pollination.
Native bees, such as the valley carpenter bee and the mason bee, exhibit various behaviors and appearances. For instance, male valley carpenter bees, also known as "teddy bear bees," are covered in fuzz and sleep in flowers, while mason bees have tiny arms and mate by covering their partner's eyes. Many native bees are solitary and ground-dwelling, while others, like longhorn bees, sleep together in sunflower fields. It's important to note that most native bees are not aggressive towards humans and cannot sting unless provoked. Furthermore, some native bees, like the sleeping males, cannot sting at all. These fascinating creatures contribute significantly to pollination and are essential for maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
Bees form a community at night: Bees have unique behaviors and structures, urban areas pose challenges, and most bees provision their own offspring
Bees, despite their competitive nature during the day, form a community at night. These bees, such as carpenter bees, mason bees, and sweat bees, have various life cycles and unique behaviors that contribute to their names. Some bees, like ground-dwelling native bees, build structures at their burrow entrances, the purpose of which remains a mystery. Urban areas pose challenges for bees due to the use of chemicals, and creating a native habitat in your yard without pesticides or herbicides can help sustain bees and other creatures. Adult bees consume nectar, while developing bees consume pollen, typically provided by their parent bees. Some bees, called cuckoo bees, are kleptoparasites that lay their eggs in the burrows of other bees and consume their pollen, often killing the host's offspring. Most bees, however, provision their own offspring and leave once they've laid their eggs and constructed a few burrows, effectively taking care of themselves as they develop.
Unique bee nesting and care practices: Bees exhibit various nesting habits and care methods, including communal living, taking long naps, and preference for specific soil types and plants.
Bees have unique ways of caring for their young and nesting in various soil types. Some bees, like the green sweat bee, practice communal living with multiple females sharing a burrow and having their own private sections for their offspring. Others, like the euphoria bee, take their time digging burrows and may take long naps while guarding their young. Bees have preferences for different soil types, such as alkaline soil for the nomia bee, and some, like the microanthophora, will nest in various types of soil. Native bees generally prefer native plants for pollen and nectar, but some are generalist pollinators and will visit a variety of flowers. To find specific native bees, looking for their preferred plants is a helpful strategy. Beewatching can involve long waits and unexpected discoveries, and beekeepers may need to edit out their own reactions from their videos.
Revolutionizing bee study with technology: Technology allows for efficient and non-invasive bee identification and learning through sharing observations, photos, and videos.
Technology is revolutionizing the way scientists and enthusiasts approach the study of bees. No longer bound by the need for physical specimens and field journals, people can now share observations, photos, and videos, making the identification and learning process more accessible and efficient. This shift is particularly beneficial for those who specialize in specific bee genera or subgenera and prefer to focus on non-invasive methods. The speaker, for instance, uses photography and video to document bee species and shares her findings through a deck of ID cards. This project, which started in 2019 and was successfully funded on Kickstarter in March 2023, is just one example of how technology is enabling new ways of engaging with and learning about bees.
Supporting local ecology and conservation efforts: Preserve native habitats by supporting local conservation efforts, create native landscapes, and maintain bee hotels for native bees.
Supporting local ecology and conservation efforts is crucial for preserving native habitats and the creatures that call them home. This was highlighted during the discussion about the Native Bees of the Western United States flash cards and the efforts to save the Verdugo Mountains from development. Additionally, creating native landscapes and connecting them through native plant areas can significantly increase biodiversity and provide habitats for native bees and other creatures. Regarding bee hotels, while they can be helpful, it's essential to clean and maintain them regularly to ensure the health and safety of the bees. For those outside the US looking to attract native bees, visiting local native gardening stores and asking for plant recommendations based on their location is a great starting point.
Properly caring for mason bee cocoons: Remove debris, pests, wash cocoons, store in fridge, place in bee house or drawer, avoid original cavities, clean bee houses, support native bees, plant diverse flowers, reduce honeybee presence, mason bees crucial for pollination
Properly caring for mason bee cocoons involves removing debris, pests, and washing the cocoons. Then, store them in a bee-safe, breathable container in the fridge until February. Afterward, place them in a bee house or a drawer with egress holes. Female bees lay male and female eggs in different locations, so avoid putting cocoons back in their original cavities. Bee houses with removable straws or reeds should be cleaned in the fall to prevent mite infestations and other pests. Native bee enthusiasts generally have mixed feelings about urban beekeeping, as honeybees can negatively impact native populations through mites and disease. To support native bees, consider planting diverse flowers and reducing the presence of honeybees. Mason bees play a crucial role in pollination, and their absence in certain ecosystems can lead to a lack of biodiversity.
From hobby to National Geographic Explorer: The power of following your passions: Following your passions can lead to personal growth, fulfillment, and making a positive impact on the world. Create bee hotels with untreated lumber and paper straws, not water, for effective use. Everyone has potential to make a difference, regardless of privilege.
Following your passions and pursuing your hobbies can lead to incredible opportunities and make a positive impact on the world. Crystal Hickman's journey to becoming a National Geographic Explorer started with her love for bees and her desire to document their existence. Her determination and hard work paid off, and she is now on a mission to save endangered bee species and educate others about their importance. Another key takeaway is the importance of providing the right environment for bees. Bee hotels made from untreated scrap lumber with drilled holes should be filled with paper straws to ensure the bees can effectively use them. Additionally, providing water for bees is not as beneficial as many believe, as honeybees are the only ones that drink water, and native bees get all of their hydration from plants. Privilege plays a role in being able to pursue hobbies and turn them into a career, but it's essential to remember that everyone has ideas and the potential to make a difference. Embrace the unknown and be open to new experiences, even if you might not be good at them at first. Ultimately, following your passions can lead to personal growth, fulfillment, and the ability to make a positive impact on the world.
The Importance of Conserving Habitats for Wildlife: Conservation is crucial for the survival of bees, butterflies, and other species. Habitat loss and climate change threaten their existence. Keeping wildlife wary of humans is important for their safety.
Conservation and the preservation of habitats are crucial for the survival of various species, including bees and butterflies, which are interconnected in the face of habitat loss and climate change. The speaker's encounter with a coyote in her driveway served as a reminder of the importance of keeping wildlife wary of humans to ensure their safety. The discussion then delved into the connection between the decline of native bees and butterflies, with habitat loss and climate change being significant factors. The conversation also touched upon the ever-evolving nature of taxonomy and the renaming of species, which can lead to confusion but is necessary for accurate classification. Overall, the importance of conservation, understanding interconnected species relationships, and the ongoing evolution of scientific knowledge were key themes in the discussion.
Effective Approach for Identifying Native Bees: Focus on families first, observe wings, antenna length, pollen structures, antennae segments, behaviors, and sleeping habits to identify native bees. Utilize resources like field guides, iNaturalist, Bugguide, 'Bees in Your Backyard', and 'Bees of the World'.
For beginners interested in identifying native bees, focusing on identifying families first is a more effective approach than trying to identify species right away. When distinguishing bees from other insects, key features to look for include the number of wings, antenna length, and pollen carrying structures. For males and females, differences in antennae segments and behaviors can also be helpful. Additionally, understanding the sleeping habits of bees can aid in identification, as they typically sleep during the night and rest during overcast or cooler days. Resources such as field guides, websites like iNaturalist and Bugguide, and books like "Bees in Your Backyard" and "Bees of the World" can provide valuable information for those just starting out in bee identification.
Bees don't sleep with butts out, they wrap around flower centers: Bees don't sleep with their butts exposed, instead they wrap around flower centers. Mason bees hibernate indoors and swarms form when honeybee colonies split.
Bees do not usually sleep with their butts sticking out of flowers. Instead, they typically sleep wrapped around the center of the flower. The misconception may come from a meme or misunderstanding of a bee's behavior while nectaring. Additionally, bees have compound eyes, making it easier for humans to sneak up on them using thin objects as barriers. Mason bees, which sometimes enter homes, are solitary and tend to nest in cavities. If you find a mason bee inside your home, it's likely hibernating rather than seeking shelter. Lastly, swarms of European honeybees form when an older queen is ousted and the colony splits to find a new home.
Understanding Carpenter Bees: Nesting and Behavior: Carpenter bees prefer untreated wood for nesting, can create long tunnels, are not harmful to structures, and sting repeatedly but pain level is similar to a bumblebee sting. Provide alternative nesting sites to reduce presence in unwanted areas.
Carpenter bees are not harmful to structures like swing sets or houses, despite their tendency to nest in wood. They prefer untreated soft woods like pine, cedar, and redwood, and can create long tunnels for their offspring. Carpenter bees are not eusocial bees, but they do have a community structure. Providing alternative resources for them to nest in, such as untreated wood or a bee hotel, can help reduce their presence in unwanted areas. While they can sting, their stingers are not barbed and they can sting repeatedly, but the pain level is comparable to a bumblebee sting. The discussion also touched on the representation of bees in pop culture, with some expressing frustration over the focus on male characters and the lack of accurate portrayals of native bees. Overall, understanding the unique characteristics and behaviors of different bee species can help promote coexistence and appreciation for these important pollinators.
Discovering Joy and Connection with Bees through Photography: The speaker finds joy and connection with nature through bee photography, overcomes challenges to capture perfect shots, and hopes to inspire others to appreciate local fauna.
The speaker, an avid bee photographer, finds great joy and connection with nature through her encounters with bees. However, she faces challenges in capturing the perfect bee photos for identification purposes. She expresses a desire to communicate with bees and even become a "bee whisperer" or director for them. The best thing about bees for her is the escape they provide from a human-centric world and the inspiration they give to appreciate the natural world. The speaker's passion for bees is contagious, and she hopes her photography deck will inspire others to learn about and appreciate the local fauna of Los Angeles. The interview reveals her dedication to her craft and her genuine love for bees and the natural world.
Exploring the Natural World with Crystal Hickman: A Bee Expert: Engaging with experts and asking questions can lead to new discoveries. Crystal Hickman's passion for bees inspires us to appreciate the natural world.
Engaging with experts and exploring new topics, no matter how basic they may seem, can lead to fascinating discoveries. Crystal Hickman, an enthusiastic expert on bees, encourages asking questions and taking time to appreciate the natural world. You can connect with her on Instagram and her website, and be sure to check out her photography. This episode of Ologies was made possible by a team of dedicated individuals. Zeke Thomas, Rodriguez Thomas, and Mercedes Maitland worked on the kid-friendly classroom safe episodes called Small Ologies. Emily White of The Wordery made our professional transcripts, and Erin Taubart managed our podcast Facebook group. Kelly Ardoire worked on our website, Noel Delworth handled our scheduling, and Susan Hale did "so much," including managing all of our merchandise. Mark David Christensen assisted with research and editing, and Jarrett Sleeper of Mindjam Media was a friend to the bees and to the podcast. Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio was the lead editor. Allie Ward, the host, shared a personal story about a misunderstood spider video on TikTok and emphasized the importance of taking time to appreciate the natural world around us. Be sure to check out the episode for more insights on serology, the study of serums and immunology, and the fascinating world of bees.
