NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- No, this isn't an episode of Black Mirror.
Walmart applied for a patent for drone pollinators on March 8th, but the patent has yet to be approved. It describes the robotic bees as small drones that will go from plant to plant collecting and depositing pollen.
Norfolk Beekeepers Association Frank Walker isn’t so sure about the idea.
“They might use them in greenhouses and controlled environments, but every drone would have to be basically manipulated, programmed, tracked,” said Walker.
Last year, the United States lost around 44 percent of the bee population. Which isn’t good since every third bite you eat was pollinated by a honey bee.
The list of foods they help pollinate is extensive, Walker named a few.
"Your apples, peaches, broccoli, watermelons, squash, cucumbers, the list goes on,” said Walker.
Walker said the lack of bees worldwide already has other countries looking for alternatives. He also said honeybees make up 80 percent of the insect pollination across Virginia alone.
“There’s hand-pollination, like China today, farmers are having children climb trees and hand pollinate apples, and pears, simply because they don’t have enough pollination insects in their country,” said Walker.
Walker said we should work on our environment first and foremost.
“The drone that’s a cool idea, but we don’t think it’s sustainable, think it’s too expensive," said Walker. "Protect our current honey bees, and nature has a way of helping itself.”
To learn more about Virginia's bee population, contact the Norfolk Beekeepers Association.
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