Researchers: Bees’ economic benefits have been underestimated

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http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/12/03/researchers-bees-economic-benefits-have-been-underestimated/



Bees have a much greater economic value than is widely known, according to a scientific probe into strawberry-growing published on Wednesday.

Strawberries pollinated by bees were of far higher commercial value than fruit that was self-pollinated or pollinated by the wind.

They were heavier, firmer and redder and had a longer shelf life, researchers in Germany found.

Bees are under threat from hive “collapse”, a disorder that some have linked to pesticides and pollution.