Decline in bee population. I remember reading that Einstein once said (source unknown XD) that the bee population somewhat relates to the existence of human... When there are no bees anymore, it means we are near the end of the human race :D 2012 perhaps?
Scientists believe they may have found the cause of the massive decline in bee populations in North America and other parts of the rest of the world, but are nowhere nearer finding a way to stop the alarming pattern.
Among bee experts of the world the condition, known as colony collapse disorder (CCD), has elicited significant alarm due to its extent. In North America alone, bee populations are believed to have decreased by as much as 40%.
Bees are responsible for pollination, which provides critical support to a third of the foods we eat in the food chain.
In an essay published by Public Library of Science’s “PLoS One”, a group of Army scientists in Maryland and bee experts in Montana, have found that an insect virus and a fungus may be jointly responsible.
Led by research professor Jerry Bromenshenk from the University of Montana, the group, which includes scientists from U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center and the Instituto de Ecologica AC in Mexico, have evidence that suggests a moth virus called insect iridescent virus (IIV) 6 and a fungal parasite called Nosema may be causing the deaths.
However, their evidence suggests a ‘chicken and the egg’ scenario. Although CCD is associated with the two pathogens, their research does not show whether the pathogens caused the CCD or whether bee hives already suffering from CCD are more susceptible to the virus and fungus combo.
“We still have a great deal of research to do to resolve why bees are dying in the U.S. and elsewhere,” said Jeff Pettis of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
New culprits in North American bee death crisis Birmingham Star
Saturday 9th October, 2010
Saturday 9th October, 2010
Among bee experts of the world the condition, known as colony collapse disorder (CCD), has elicited significant alarm due to its extent. In North America alone, bee populations are believed to have decreased by as much as 40%.
Bees are responsible for pollination, which provides critical support to a third of the foods we eat in the food chain.
In an essay published by Public Library of Science’s “PLoS One”, a group of Army scientists in Maryland and bee experts in Montana, have found that an insect virus and a fungus may be jointly responsible.
Led by research professor Jerry Bromenshenk from the University of Montana, the group, which includes scientists from U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center and the Instituto de Ecologica AC in Mexico, have evidence that suggests a moth virus called insect iridescent virus (IIV) 6 and a fungal parasite called Nosema may be causing the deaths.
However, their evidence suggests a ‘chicken and the egg’ scenario. Although CCD is associated with the two pathogens, their research does not show whether the pathogens caused the CCD or whether bee hives already suffering from CCD are more susceptible to the virus and fungus combo.
“We still have a great deal of research to do to resolve why bees are dying in the U.S. and elsewhere,” said Jeff Pettis of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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