Honey Bee Losses Continue To Rise In U.S.

[lovuian]

http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/36815

A recent survey by the Apiary Inspectors of America found that losses nationwide topped 36 percent of managed hives between September 2007 and March 2008, compared to a 31 percent loss during the same period a year earlier.
snip...
Among the potential triggers being investigated are environmental chemicals. Penn State scientists analyzing pollen, wax, adult bees and brood (larvae) have found the presence of dozens of chemicals, including pesticides used by agricultural producers to protect crops and by beekeepers to control hive pests such as parasitic mites.

"This raises several complicated questions," said Maryann Frazier, senior extension associate in entomology. "Some of these compounds could react with each other to cause toxic effects or could combine with viruses or poor nutrition to weaken immunity and cause colony collapse. We also need to do more research to understand these chemicals' sub-lethal effects on bees."

Though the role of chemicals in Colony Collapse Disorder is still unknown, Frazier noted that beekeepers need more options for controlling varroa mites so they can reduce their reliance on chemicals. "With the sheer number of compounds we're finding in hives, it's hard to believe that pesticides aren't contributing to the general decline in bee health," she said.





The scientific results are coming in ...pesticides are playing a part in this whole killing of the honeybees...

[Eurobabe]

1. thanks for the update, I have been following

but hadn't really read or seen anything lately. Our poor winged friends. :cry:

[Divine Discontent]

2. I saw this

coming a few years ago. I had a feeling come to me about mass death of nature that would be shocking and have effects on us. It is happening before our very eyes - we are killing EVERYTHING around us - from the acidification of our seas and the plant life and creatures in it, to the bees, birds, and footed animals on ground... the corporations in the US are doing so much worse, thanks to B*sh's "clear skies" bullcrap.

[mac2]

3. Demand the Department of Agriculture pay attention to this.

How about a tax refund for raising bees and US food companies getting tax refunds for using that honey in their products? Or fruit growers using bee hives?

We can solve this problem with better management. Corporations now run most the farms and don't give a damn about our environment or survival. That's why we have laws and power to control them.

Chemicals and pollution aren't good for us either. It may be why we have so much Cancer and immune problems.

I asked QVC to help the bee problem by having Joan Rivers bee pins (they are beautiful) pay for some research, etc. Haven't had any response. I can't write to Joan personally.

Any candidate want to talk about this issue?

[Muttocracy]

4. but they don't have the data on the env. chemicals yet

so far aren't they a secondary factor on top of bees already stressed by travel (commercial colonies moved across fields), mites, and viruses?

I'm basing this on what's in the article you cited plus other info on the Penn State site:

http://www.ento.psu.edu/MAAREC/index.html

[lovuian]

5. this scientific study is being done by Penn State

yes the bees have Varoe Mites and the Israel Mite also but the study shows the chemicals in the Bee hives that are dying
are pesticides all different kinds of them

and Penn State says its looking like a pretty sure thing that they are producing in interaction Toxins that are killing the Bees immune system

read the article all the way to the end

I am truly amazed at how the scientific community tip toes around these BioGen companies

the honeybee has been on earth for 30 mil years

and we need them

we have only had genetic seeds for 10 years

the Bees deaths in USA is now up to 36%
we are heading for extinction here
Nothing to play around with and the scientific studies are coming in with the answer
Germany has halted certain pesticides on their fields ....their Bees are dying massively
that was tough because BAYER is their company but they did it

[Muttocracy]

7. I'm just saying the Penn State survey is still underway according to the MAAREC site

So Frazier is discusssing preliminary impressions, not the final data. And your snips cut out everything but the chemicals info, while most reports in the last 2 years have talked about synergism between parasites and pesticides.

[Muttocracy]

8. and also the problems have been much worse in commercial colonies that get moved around. nt

[NorthernSpy]

6. my mother thinks it's intentional...

... on the part of companies like Monsanto. She thinks they want the bees to die.


:tinfoilhat:


All I know is, I was awfully relieved to see bumblebees and orchard mason bees pollinating the peaches, cherries, apples, and blueberries outside. And even they were slow to get started this year. It's only been the last few days that I've begun to see several at a time on one tree. And I've seen only like, one or two honeybees so far. Lots of bloom on everything -- hate to lose all that fruit.

[kestrel91316]

9. Just like two and three weeks ago, I went up into the

Santa Monica Mountains today and was practically deafened by the very happy humming of millions of honeybees (and lots of other native Hymenopterans, too) feeding on the wild mustard and wild sage and wild buckwheat. If anybody needs bees, we got plenty right here.

Oh, and it sure has been a nice change of weather the past few days. Last weekend we were wrapping up a 6-day 100+ heat wave. The past couple of days it's only been in the low 60s. Today very slightly warmer.

[mdmc]

10. thanks for the bee info and link... pesticides must go!

http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/36815

[Obama4ever]

11. I agree

It's the pesticides that are causing this. Organic is the better way.