Cherubini, the pesticide industry is hardly an uninterested party in the question of whether pesticides are involved in colony collapse. The original article brought up by Tyson is just frantic shouting with no substance, but to turn to the pesticide industry is not an unbiased approach. That would be akin to asking the tobacco industry what caused lung cancer in the 1940s and 1950s.
It is not true, according to USDA ( http://www.ars.usda.gov/News/docs.htm?docid=15572 ) that there are more hives than fifty years ago, certainly not in the U.S., where the number has been halved since the 1940s. And colony collapse was not a known problem fifty years ago, so a more recent date from which to start the trend line would make more sense, or to look at the entire history, not just point to two data points along the line. Colony collapse is to date a phenomenon mainly of North America and Europe, though it may be spreading. In some parts of the world there may have been more hives established for economic reasons, or in response to declines in North America. Argentina comes to mind. Unlike the pesticide industry, unbiased observers seem to implicate a wide variety of causes, even including pesticides used to control the varroa mite, the pesticide industry's favorite culprit. David McNeely ---- Paul Cherubini <mona...@saber.net> wrote: > On Jun 12, 2013, at 11:39 AM, Wayne Tyson wrote: > > > I'd especially like well-informed comments on this article: > > http://www.nationofchange.org/worldwide-honey-bee-collapse-lesson-ecology-1371046688 > > The pesticide industry provides balanced information on the honey bee > health issue. For example, in their Fact Sheet, Bayer Crop-Science makes > these two key points: http://beecare.bayer.com/media-center/fact-sheet > > 1) "Despite ongoing reports on substantial bee losses in some regions, the > overall > number of honey bee colonies worldwide has increased by some 45% over the > last 50 years, not decreased." > > 2) "It is widely believed among the scientific community that Varroa mite is > the > main factor affecting the health of honey bee colonies." > > Both Bayer and Monsanto are actively working on Varroa mite control solutions. > > Monsanto Research: > > Beekeepers, Monsanto come together for summit Jun 13, 2013 > http://www.arcamax.com/business/businessnews/s-1341265?source=outbrain > > Excerpt: "The company is working on a new technology intended to > control a tiny insect, called the varroa mite, that has been a major > factor in the decimation of honey bees. If Monsanto successfully > brings the technology to market, it could be a blockbuster." > > Bayer Crop-Science Research: > > A new way of protecting bees against varroa mites > http://beecare.bayer.com/media-center/news/news-detail/a-new-way-of-protecting-bees-against-varroa-mites > > Excerpt: "In the past, efforts to control this parasite have concentrated > exclusively on treatment in the hive, but foraging bees then bring back > new mites when they return home. Bayer’s scientists have been working > with bee researchers from Frankfurt University to develop the varroa > gate, which is designed to prevent reinfection. This innovative front > door should effectively protect the hive against the deadly parasite." > > Paul Cherubini > El Dorado, Calif. -- David McNeely
