Short discussion about yesterday's #EarthDay2020 #GoogleDoodle. We'd like to clarify some #bee facts and correct some of the misinformation. Feel free to comment below with additional information.

1) “There are about 20,000 species of bees worldwide.”

There are 20,470+ bee species in the world, with likely thousands more yet to be described.

2) “Scientists call bees keystone species, meaning ecosystems would collapse without them.”

ALL bees are responsible for the vital key ecosystem service: pollination.

Bees are considered “indicator” species, which means that they tell us a lot about the ecosystem’s health.

3) “Bees wings flap around 230 beats per second, creating their signature buzzing sound.”

This refers to honey bees. All bees have different wing speeds. Bumble bees (among others) can vibrate their wings, allowing them to “buzz pollinate” certain plants

4) “Bees produce honey to feed their colonies during cold seasons.”

This is only applicable to honey bees and bumble bees (and stingless bees in certain parts of the world). All other bees do NOT produce any honey. Their offspring feed on pollen and nectar (and or floral oils).

5) The game is a cute idea, we won't argue that. But there are a few issues:

Contrary to the spreading of dandelion seeds when the cute “honey bee” hovers over them, pollination works by bees (wild bees) collect and spread pollen from flower to flower (con't below).

Dandelion seeds are carried and spread by WIND, not bees.

Although the bee is cutely illustrated, it resembles only one of the 20,470 species (the honey bee) which is not native to North America. We have over 850 native bee species in Canada alone.