Maize and Malaria

Back in 1950s the World Health Organizations (WHO) sprayed large amounts of DDT to counter a malaria outbreak in Borneo (island near Indonesia), successfully killing off malaria mosquitoes, as well as some pesky cockroaches. But then thatched roofs began falling on peoples' heads. The pesticide, it turned out, had also killed off wasps that ate thatch-eating caterpillars. What's more, the pesticide moved up the food chain, poisoning lizards, which were then eaten by cats. And as cats died, rats flourished, spreading new diseases, including typhus. 


Lacking food security, Africans grew a new maize that which grows faster and more abundantly than traditional varieties. A maize field produces large amounts of pollen — about 300 pounds per hectare, or 2.5 acres. Unfortunately, mosquito larvae thrive on it. 


One solution would have farmers grow a genetically modified variety of maize containing an insecticide that would kill mosquito larvae. But the costs of that would be beyond the means of local farmers.Another possible solution would involve detasseling, removing the pollen-producing tassel from a maize plant by hand and preventing pollination, but that is a time-consuming process.A third option, would be to encourage farmers to grow a maize variety that sheds its pollen earlier in the season, prior to peak mosquito development. Farmers could also plant their fields at least sixty meters from their homesteads to create a buffer zone between the breeding grounds and the houses. 

Why We Need Bees

Many people think of bees simply as a summertime nuisance. But these small and hard-working insects actually make it possible for many of your favorite foods to reach your table. From apples to almonds to the pumpkin in our pumpkin pies, we have bees to thank. Now, a condition known as Colony Collapse Disorder is causing bee populations to plummet, which means these foods are also at risk. In the United States alone, more than 25 percent of the managed honey bee population has disappeared since 1990.
Bees are one of a myriad of other animals, including birds, bats, beetles, and butterflies, called pollinators. Pollinators transfer pollen and seeds from one flower to another, fertilizing the plant so it can grow and produce food. Cross-pollination helps at least 30 percent of the world’s crops and 90 percent of our wild plants to thrive.
Without bees to spread seeds, many plants—including food crops—would die off. 
Bees Keep Our Economy Humming More than $15 billion a year in U.S. crops are pollinated by bees, including apples, berries, cantaloupes, cucumbers, alfalfa, and almonds. U.S. honey bees also produce about $150 million in honey annually. But fewer bees means the economy takes a hit: The global economic cost of bee decline, including lower crop yields and increased production costs, has been estimated at as high as $5.7 billion per year.
Keeping bee populations safe is critical for keeping American tables stocked with high-quality produce and our agriculture sector running smoothly.

http://www.nrdc.org/wildlife/animals/files/bees.pdf