The Zurich Wilderness Park is buzzing

Wild bees play an important role in the pollination of wild and cultivated plants. Thanks to their great diversity, with over 20,000 species worldwide, they are often the more efficient or even the sole pollinators compared to honey bees. For example, several wild bees fly even in bad weather and low temperatures and thus ensure the necessary pollination of apple trees, strawberries or melons during longer periods of bad weather. Other flowering plants such as red clover or tomatoes are avoided by honeybees and can only survive thanks to specialized wild bee species. Every measure to promote wild bees therefore also supports the diversity of flowering plants and the productivity of agriculture.

There are almost 600 species of wild bees in Switzerland. According to the Red List, almost half of them are endangered. In order to preserve and promote the diversity of wild pollinators, national measures are needed to protect habitats and create new flower-rich areas. But nature lovers of all ages can also help wild bees in their own gardens easily and without much effort. Example of a meadow with suitable nesting sites. The Zurich Wilderness Park is organizing an adventure Saturday at the visitor center in Sihlwald on 3 May. Between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., the staff of the Zurich Wilderness Park will help interested parties to build wild bee hotels for their own gardens. Registration is not necessary, but the number of places is limited.

Wild bees need caves

If you would like to see the end product of the craft afternoon in action, you can do so at your leisure at the Zurich Wilderness Park's wild bee hotel on the wall of the museum. Mason bees, among others, are already busy depositing nectar and pollen in the nesting holes. In contrast to honeybees and bumblebees, most wild bee species live solitary lives. In their short lives, they are primarily concerned with collecting as much food as possible and storing it in a suitable brood cell. Once enough nectar and pollen has been collected, the wild bee lays an egg and closes the clutch to create another brood cell. In addition to the solitary way of life and life in a highly organized bee colony, bees have all kinds of intermediate stages. Wild bees are ideal for observation by young researchers, as they do not sting and are not attracted by sweet foods and drinks.

Further exciting information on mason bees, leafcutter bees, furrow bees and the like can be found in Pro Natura Zurich's new special exhibition on "Cave dwellers - animals in hiding". A variety of caves and their animal inhabitants await visitors, including wild bees, Norway rats and common toads. And for comparison with the wild bees, visitors can observe the goings-on in a real honeybee nest behind Plexiglas. With many interactive and playful elements, the exhibition is suitable for young and old.

Further information

Martin Kilchenmann
Head of Communication
Zoological curator
Tel. 044 722 55 24
martin.kilchenmann@wildnispark.ch

Opening hours visitor center and nature museum in Sihlwald

March 21 to November 2, 2014:
Tue to Sat 12-17.30 hrs,
Sun and public holidays 9-17.30 hrs,
Mon closed.

Admission: adults CHF 6, children CHF 3, families CHF 14