Globally, pollinators are on the decline; several factors have contributed to this dramatic and disturbing trend. They include the use of pesticides, climate change, and habitat fragmentation. The spread of pathogens, parasites and predators has alsoadded to the dilemma. And, the number of managed honey bee colonies is not keeping pace with the agricultural demands for pollination.1 Because of these trends in availability, the breeding programs of many crops which are dependent on honey bees have concentrated on reducing the need for so many of them.
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