Bees need the right conditions to thrive

THANKS for setting the alarm for our allies, honeybees [“Flight of the Honeybees,” April 26].

For more than 30 years our half-acre has had no sprays, inspires mostly natives and has had a bevy of [urban] wildlife. A plethora of butterflies, honeybees, insects feast daily. Living in an oasis in the middle of urban life can be a very pleasant experience -- no need to “leave home”!

JILL SWIFT

Tarzana

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GROWERS are intent on producing bigger and showier flowers, fruits and vegetables. The more they hybridize plants, the more sterile the pollen becomes.

I can see this effect in my garden. Formerly, bees would enter the center of a flower and nuzzle around for quite some time. Now, I see bees fly up to a flower and immediately leave. I miss their company in my garden.

TOBY M. HORN

Los Angeles

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OVER the past couple of years I’ve had bees settle down to die on my driveway in Santa Barbara. If this could be related to the Colony Collapse Disorder, put me in touch with the researchers you’ve identified and I’ll happily send them some carcasses.

VAL NORONHA

Santa Barbara

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