Native or Not? Protea 'susara' and Apis mellifera, 'European' Honeybee, Kerikeri, New Zealand
Well, again... the question that preys on my mind. When is something 'native' or 'naturalised' to a specific place. Does it take, say, a single generation or many? As you know I've remarked more than once about the introduction of Apis mellifera to New Zealand at the beginning of the nineteenth century - in fact, more or less where I am now. Is it today 'native' or 'naturalised' or perhaps 'invasive'?
Even as recently as a decade ago Mâoris comnplained that these Bees were stealing 'manuka' honey from their own really native - and far darker - smaller Bees.
And Protea? As far as I know, that marvellous plant was introduced to New Zealand in the early 1920s. Now you can see it in many places, and it's frequented especially by those 'European' Honeybees...
Just think how many generations of Honeybees have prospered here, and how long Proteas have flourished.
They've all got to 'belong'...
Native or Not? Protea 'susara' and Apis mellifera, 'European' Honeybee, Kerikeri, New Zealand
Well, again... the question that preys on my mind. When is something 'native' or 'naturalised' to a specific place. Does it take, say, a single generation or many? As you know I've remarked more than once about the introduction of Apis mellifera to New Zealand at the beginning of the nineteenth century - in fact, more or less where I am now. Is it today 'native' or 'naturalised' or perhaps 'invasive'?
Even as recently as a decade ago Mâoris comnplained that these Bees were stealing 'manuka' honey from their own really native - and far darker - smaller Bees.
And Protea? As far as I know, that marvellous plant was introduced to New Zealand in the early 1920s. Now you can see it in many places, and it's frequented especially by those 'European' Honeybees...
Just think how many generations of Honeybees have prospered here, and how long Proteas have flourished.
They've all got to 'belong'...