[lou_lou]

WELCOME TO THE GREEN ROOM!

when our life is connected to each and every other living thing -when things start to disapear or become extinct...
I believe we should pay attention:

this is very interesting -the bee's are disappearing.
I have heard two theories, I am posting the one that I believe makes more sense.The other theory is cell phones?

http://tinyurl.com/2cnkbo



March 2, 2007
Op-Ed Contributor
Losing Their Buzz
By MAY R. BERENBAUM
Urbana, Ill.

WHEN Hollywood filmmakers want to heighten the tension of an insect fear film, they just arrange for millions of killer bees to appear out of nowhere to threaten a vulnerable group of people — over the years, these have included children in a school bus, celebrants at a Mardi Gras parade and people living near a nuclear power plant.

But people from all demographic groups across the country are facing a much more frightening real-life situation: the disappearance of millions of bees. This winter, in more than 20 states, beekeepers have noticed that their honeybees have mysteriously vanished, leaving behind no clues as to their whereabouts. There are no tell-tale dead bodies either inside colonies or out in front of hives, where bees typically deposit corpses of dead nestmates.

What’s more, the afflicted colonies tend to be full of honey, pollen and larvae, as if all of the workers in the nest precipitously decamped on some prearranged signal. Beekeepers are up in arms — last month, leaders in the business met with research scientists and government officials in Florida to figure out why the bees are disappearing and how to stop the losses. Nobody had any answers.

That beekeepers are alarmed over this situation is understandable, but, just as in the movies, the public may not recognize the magnitude of the threat that these mysterious events present.

A decline in the numbers of Apis melllifera, the world’s most widely distributed semi-domesticated insect, doesn’t just mean a shortage of honey for toast and tea. In fact, the economic value of honey, wax and other bee products is trivial in comparison with the honeybee’s services as a pollinator. More than 90 crops in North America rely on honeybees to transport pollen from flower to flower, effecting fertilization and allowing production of fruit and seed. The amazing versatility of the species is worth an estimated $14 billion a year to the United States economy.

Approximately one-third of the typical American’s diet (primarily the healthiest part) is directly or indirectly the result of honey bee pollination. Production of almonds in California, a $2 billion enterprise, is almost entirely dependent on honey bees. Every year beekeepers transport millions of bees around the country to meet the ever-growing need for pollination services for almonds, apples, blueberries, peaches and other crops. This year it is possible that there won’t be enough bees to meet the demand for pollinators.

Theories abound as to potential causes of what is being called colony collapse disorder. As a social species living in close quarters at high densities — the average hive contains upwards of 30,000 insects — honeybees are prone to a staggering diversity of fungal, bacterial and viral diseases. In the 1980s, honeybee numbers plummeted when two species of parasitic mites appeared, wiping out most populations of wild bees and placing more pressure on managed colonies. This latest drop in numbers may be the consequence of a new infection, or of several diseases simultaneously, leading to a fatally compromised immune system.

It is also possible that severe stress brought on by crowding, inadequate nutrition or even the combined effects of prophylactic antibiotics and miticides sprayed by beekeepers to ward off infections may be a factor. Another, particularly sad, possibility is that accidental exposure to a new pesticide may cause non-lethal behavioral changes that interfere with the ability of honeybees to orient and navigate; brain-damaged foraging bees may simply get lost on their way home and starve to death away from the hive.

Irrespective of its causes, however, this drop comes at a critical time, with demand for pollination services rocketing upward. Even in a high-tech age when the human capacity to improve upon nature seems limitless, there is no satisfactory substitute for the honeybee. Thus it’s astonishing that beekeeping remains largely unimproved by technological advances relative to just about every other form of animal husbandry. The basic design of honey bee housing is essentially unchanged since L. L. Langstroth patented his movable frame hive in 1852; artificial insemination of queens, the last significant technological advance in beekeeping, was introduced early in the 20th century. The 21st century holds great promise for innovation.

Last October, an international consortium of scientists announced the publication of the sequence of the entire honey bee genome. Among the benefits of knowing the full gene inventory is that it has allowed the construction of a whole-genome microarray — essentially a microscope slide dotted with genetic material — here at the University of Illinois.

Microarray analysis is a powerful tool for examining differences among a very large number of genes rapidly and efficiently; it’s the basis for new diagnostic tools, for example, for clinical evaluation of many forms of cancer. For bees, microarray analysis of differences between healthy and afflicted bees may reveal the causes and provide insights for developing a cure.

The real key to dealing with colony collapse disorder, however, is understanding the extent of the problem, which may prove to be more of a challenge than figuring out its origins. Although Americans are in general good at counting things of value, we’ve done an absolutely appalling job at counting our bees and other pollinators.

In October, I served as chair of a committee for the National Research Council, the research arm of the National Academy of Sciences, on the status of pollinators in North America. Among the clearest conclusions of our report was that Americans do not keep track of pollinators, even the one on which much of our agriculture depends.

For example, the Department of Agriculture’s statistics service has kept records of honeybee colonies managed by beekeepers since 1947, but the annual survey monitors only colonies used in honey production. Colonies used exclusively for pollination are not included, nor do surveys take into account the fact that some honey-producing colonies travel. The Agriculture Department also doesn’t track bees kept by small-scale beekeepers with fewer than five colonies.

No current survey monitors colony health or variability in bee numbers over the season, a critical variable for assessing population dynamics as well as economic effects of fluctuations. Although the Agriculture Department surveys beekeeping operations every five years using criteria that address some of these issues, five years between surveys provides ample time for irreparable damage to occur before a problem can be recognized.

Conspicuous among the recommendations from the National Research Council committee was a call for the department to make annual bee assessments, with winter losses monitored, general health assessed and pollination services quantified.

Moreover, no system is in place to monitor feral bees — those that escape from managed colonies yet contribute critical pollination services to both wild plants and farms. We need long-term monitoring of feral honeybees along with other pollinators if we are to understand the true magnitude of pollination services essential for a healthy agricultural economy.

We count our pigs, our cows and our chickens (even before they hatch). The Agriculture Department, amid concerns about infectious disease and agro-terrorism, has even proposed establishing a national animal identification system, under which it could trace the origin of any animal in the food chain within 48 hours.

Yet honeybees, which contribute to our food chain in many more ways than any other animal species (and whose pollination makes available the alfalfa and clover processed into hay to feed beef and dairy cattle), are disappearing without a trace at a rate we can’t even measure accurately. Such obliviousness with respect to a precious resource in crisis might play well in a bad science fiction movie, but it’s truly alarming to see it in real life.

May R. Berenbaum, head of the department of entomology at the University of Illinois, is the author of “Buzzwords: A Scientist Muses on Sex, Bugs and Rock ’n’ Roll.”

[lou_lou]

According to Einstein we’ve got a little over 4 years.

Here’s a quote from him:

"If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man."

[lou_lou]

http://davidbyrne.com/journal/misc/T...shing_bees.pdf

A MUST READ

[lou_lou]

if you do a "WEB SEARCH on these WORDS"

"pesticide law and the use of sevin"


you will find many things

-some sights
-state sights are missing content or
you can still read this as of today?

http://purplemartin.org/forumarchive.../sevinanti.htm

http://freedom4um.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=509

IS our EARTH being poisoned... we know that they the neurologist have told us young onset parkies for years, we are toxic -that farmers have a very high percentage of PD...

then comes the propaganda sites - Dont believe this stuff?
to make one deny the possibility of our own discernment?
to prevent us from using our own brains!


if you say a catch phrase over and over, -the people will believe...
works in commercials!

example - "WAR on TERROR!"

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION...


these are all programming techniques used by the FBI and CIA
called:
neuro linguistic programing -
A technique used by - "Anthony Robbins" -

research this on your own - I will not tell you what to think, as for
me -I have heard the inside discussion -and how disgusting it is.

[lou_lou]

Prepared Testimony of Diana Cox-Foster
Professor Department of Entomology
The Pennsylvania State University

before the
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on Agriculture
Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture
on
Colony Collapse Disorder in Honey Bee Colonies in


the United States

March 29, 2007
Introduction
Chairman Cardoza and Members of the Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture,
Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today representing the researchers in the Colony Collapse Disorder Working group. I am a Professor of Entomology at Pennsylvania State University and have over 25 years experience in insect physiology, pathology, molecular biology and evolution. In addition, I have active experience in disease biology through involvement in biodefense issues in agriculture. For the last 10 years, I have conducted extensive research on the interaction of honey bees with varroa mites and bee diseases, focusing on viral diseases. In honey bees, Dr. Nancy Ostiguy and I have been examining viral disease incidence as correlated with honey bee colony deaths in association with varroa mites. My expertise is a reason why beekeepers approached me in November 2006 with colonies deaths having unique symptoms. These were the first recognized instances of Colony Collapse Disorder.
The Colony Collapse Disorder Working Group is collaboration among researchers from Penn State University, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), the USDA-ARS, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, North Carolina State University, the University of Illinois, the University of Delaware, and others. In addition, experts from Bee Alert, Inc., Montana, have joined in the study. The goals of the CCD Working Group are to 1) identify potential causal factors common to CCD colonies and not associated with strong, healthy bee colonies, 2) determine how such factors can underlie CCD by experimentally reproducing CCD symptoms, and 3) devise preventative measures to disrupt CCD and ensure strong colonies for pollination.
As you know and have heard in the testimony by the USDA-ARS, honey bees are essential for the pollination of over 90 fruit and vegetable crops worldwide. The economic worth of the honey bee is valued at more than $14.6 billion in the U.S. In Pennsylvania alone, honey bees and pollination are worth $65 million annually through fruit crops, forage, and bee products (most notably honey). In addition to agricultural crops, honey bees also pollinate many native plants in the ecosystem. Populations of honey bees are in jeopardy due to the 1988 introduction of varroa mites, recognized previously as a major threat to bee colonies in the U.S. Down from a peak of 80,000 colonies in 1982, an estimated 38,500 colonies in September 2006 are being managed in
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Recently, increased deaths in bee colonies with unique symptoms (termed Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)) seriously threaten the ability of the bee industry to meet the diverse pollination needs of fruit and vegetable producers within the State and across the United States. These symptoms have now been reported in 24 states across the continental United States and in two Canadian provinces.
In Pennsylvania since 1930, bee colonies have regularly been inspected for disease; and thus, Pennsylvania provides a good database to monitor changes in incidences of bee diseases. To determine the scope of CCD, Dennis vanEnglesdorp, the State Apiarist with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, has conducted recent surveys of Pennsylvania beekeepers that reveal a significant number of colonies collapsing with CCD (responding beekeepers represent 43%, or 17,376, of all Pennsylvania colonies). Beekeepers suffering from CCD managed a total of 8,953 colonies last September and lost an average of 73% of their hives (ranging from 55 to 100%), as compared to beekeepers not experiencing CCD, who lost an average of 25% of their colonies (ranging from 18-31%). Of significance, those reporting CCD own a quarter of all colonies in Pennsylvania. These losses translate into limited pollination resources for Pennsylvania and increased costs to both growers and consumers. In Pennsylvania, the current cost of pollination has increased by 50% and may increase even more as the 2007 season progresses.
The exact impact of CCD across the United States is difficult to gauge since essential data on the number of bee keepers, number of colonies, and death rates are not measured. A preliminary nationwide survey, initiated last month by the Apiary Inspectors of America, suggests that a 17 % loss of colonies is considered normal, which is astonishing, given that one would be hard pressed to find another agricultural commodity sustaining losses of this magnitude on a regular basis. This same survey also found that approximately one-quarter of responding beekeepers suffered CCD. Obtaining an accurate, annual survey of bee colonies in the United States is critical to ensure the health of American agriculture and to help monitor the status of pollinators as a whole.
Originally, CCD collapses were reported primarily by commercial migratory bee keepers who move their colonies from one area to another. More recently, it is clear that non-migratory beekeepers are also experiencing CCD. Of particular note, several queen breeders/packagers have experienced severe CCD symptoms in their operations. This causes particular alarm since many bee keepers depend upon these operations for new bee colonies and these losses translate into fewer bee colonies being replaced or started anew this year. It is now clear that CCD is a problem facing all bee keepers; it will have a major impact.
Brief Summary of CCD symptoms
As you have heard, CCD is associated with unique symptoms, not seen in normal collapses associated with varroa mites and honey bee viruses or in colony deaths due to winter kill. The uniqueness of these symptoms has been recognized by members of the CCD working group (Jeff Pettis, USDA-ARS; Dennis vanEnglesdorp, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture; Jerry Hayes, Florida Department of Agriculture) who have
been actively involved in field diagnosis of bee diseases and colony deaths for numerous years and who are recognized as international experts.
In CCD, the bee colony proceeds rapidly from a strong colony with many individuals to a colony with few or no surviving bees. Queens are found in collapsing colonies with a few young adult bees, lots of brood, and more than adequate food resources. No dead adult bees are found in the colony or outside in proximity to the colony. A unique aspect of CCD is that there is a significant delay in robbing of the dead colony by bees from other colonies or invasion by pest insects such as waxworm moths or small hive beetles; this suggests the presence of a deterrent chemical or toxin in the hive.
In colonies experiencing CCD, we have found that individual bees are infected with an extremely high number of different disease organisms. However, we have found little evidence of parasitization by varroa or tracheal mites. Many of these known bee diseases are commonly associated with stress in bees. Of particular note, we have found all adult bees in CCD colonies are infected with fungal infections. These findings may indicate that the bees are being immunosuppressed, but none of the organisms found in these bees can be attributed as the primary culprits in CCD.
Of special concern, we have found species like Aspergillus and Mucor among the fungi in CCD colonies. These fungi were previously reported to be bee pathogens in the 1930’s and are associated with toxin production; however, since that time, these fungi have been rarely of concern in bee colonies. Determining the role of these fungi in CCD is important not only in terms of solving the mystery of CCD but also in determining how these fungi are related to fungal species that infect vertebrates, including humans. Fortunately, at Penn State University, we have world-recognized experts in fungal identification and fungal toxins; these researchers have teamed with us to address this concern.
The CCD working group has made collections of bees and hive products (wax, honey, and pollen stores) from more than 100 CCD and non-CCD colonies sampled from operations across the country. These samples are being stored in a central location and available to all CCD researchers. In addition to examining these bees and colonies, we have surveyed beekeepers both with and without CCD; these surveys detail the operational practices, operational histories, and environmental conditions experienced by affected and non-affected colonies. These surveys have allowed us to exclude several factors as primary causes of CCD. Based upon these data, we have focused upon three hypotheses underlying CCD, as follows:
1) Are new or reemerging pathogens responsible for CCD?
2) Are environmental chemicals causing the immunosuppression of bees and triggering CCD?
3) Is a combination of stressors (e.g., varroa mites, diseases, nutritional stress) interacting to weaken bee colonies and allowing stress-related pathogens such as fungi to cause final collapse?
Research Foci Addressing CCD
These hypotheses are being addressed simultaneously via extensive collaboration among members of the CCD Working Group. We are sharing specimens, have agreed to share data, and are actively working toward resolving the causes of CCD. Funding to date has been provided by several beekeeper organizations, the National Honey Board, USDA, PDA, Penn State, and the Department of Defense (through SBIR funding to Bee Alert, Inc.); we greatly appreciate this funding for allowing us to begin addressing CCD.
A summary of our activities follows.
Are there new or reemerging pathogens responsible for CCD?
It has become clear in recent years that many pathogens have the ability to impair the immune defenses of their hosts. Among the known bee pathogens in CCD bees, none have been identified as having immunosuppressive abilities. We have identified several routes of entry into the United States that may have permitted the inadvertent introduction of new pathogens. In collaboration with Dr. Ian Lipkin and associates at Columbia University and the Northeast Biodefense Center, we at Penn State are identifying the microbes and viruses associated with CCD colonies. We predict that any pathogens that may be linked to CCD will be found in multiple operations having CCD and will not be present in colonies lacking CCD. In this analysis, we will probably isolate many new organisms not previously known to be associated with bees. Determining which microbes are important and linked to CCD will require extensive study. We will also need to investigate new methods to control or disrupt infections by these pathogens.
These studies are being performed in collaboration with Drs. Jay Evans and Jeff Pettis at USDA-ARS and with Drs. May Berenbaum and Gene Robinson at the University of Illinois. These collaborations are utilizing the newly developed knowledge of honey bee genomics and molecular physiology, to let the bees themselves tell us how they are being impacted and what are the most likely causal factors underlying CCD by asking what genes are being turned on and off in the bees. We expect that these analyses will reveal how the bees are responding to potential pathogens, environmental toxins, or other stressors.
Are environmental chemicals causing the immunosuppression of bees and triggering CCD?
It is recognized that environmental toxins or pesticides can impair the immune systems of animals. In insects, sub-lethal effects of insecticides are being increasingly recognized as stressors that may impair immune defenses. Our surveys to date have failed to identify common chemicals or pesticides being used in the various beekeeping operations experiencing CCD. Bee Alert, Inc. is asking whether any environmental chemicals are present in CCD colonies by analyzing volatile chemicals in hives. At Penn State, international experts in environmental chemistry and toxicology (Drs. Chris Mullin, Ralph Mumma and others) are helping to direct the chemical analyses of the hive products. Wax, honey, and pollen stores will be analyzed for pesticides and other toxic compounds. Of particular concern are pesticides being widely used to control insect pests in agriculture, urban environments, and animal systems. Among these are the
neonicotinoids, a class of pesticides that have been extensively adopted for pest management. This class of pesticides is recognized as having extremely low toxicity in humans and other vertebrates and as highly effective in controlling insect pests; however, these chemicals are known to be highly toxic to honey bees and other pollinators. Some research has suggested that these systemic pesticides can translocate or move through plants to become localized in pollen and nectar at concentrations that may affect bees. Research is warranted to address the effects on the bees and other pollinators of these compounds at the concentrations found in pollen and honey made from nectar collected by the bees. It is essential to determine whether these pesticides play a role as a causal factor in the CCD symptoms.
Is a combination of stresses working together to weaken bee colonies and allowing stress-pathogens to cause final collapse?
Several working group members (USDA-ARS, PDA, North Carolina State University, and Penn State) are collaborating to ask what stresses are encountered by bee colonies that are part of migratory operations. Recently, we are beginning to learn from migratory bee keepers that multiple stressors impact their operations and cause significant losses of honey bee colonies. Gaining this baseline information is important in determining how bees are being impacted and how these stresses can be eliminated to ensure adequate pollination of crops.
Finally, the CCD working group recognizes the importance of trying to breed honey bees that are more resistant to diseases and the impacts of parasites such as varroa mites. In addition, we anticipate that different genetic strains will respond differently to various stresses. Researchers at North Carolina State, University of Illinois and Texas A&M are beginning to ask how genetic diversity in bee populations correlates with CCD and resistance traits. Developing new genetic strains of bees for commercial production may be essential to the future of beekeeping.
Closing Remarks
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee, I thank you again for inviting me to review the Colony Collapse Disorder affecting honey bees and to highlight some the ongoing activities and research of the CCD working group. It is clear that we are facing several challenges in unraveling the causes of CCD and in developing preventative measures to ensure the health of bees and the pollination industry. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have concerning this serious threat to American agriculture.

[JACKMANA]

Thanks for this. My husband is a bee farmer here in UK.
I developed an allergy to bee venom (anaphylactic shock) 3.5 yrs ago & have just completed desensitisation.
Rich is interested in bee genetics - he breeds the native British black bee & also hive/bee management & husbandry. He's gobsmacked I've found this info on this site!!!!!!

[Chemar]

Tena

we have a discussion on the disappearing bees on Latitudes TS Forum too, cos so many people have increased pollen allergy this year and many new dx...it is wondered by some if the decrease in the bees is leading to an increase in pollen

here are some interesting articles posted there
Bees killed by genetically modified crops
and
German Bees and GM Crops
and

More on GM crops

NY Times report on Bees dying of fungal infection


The bit that really sounded alarms for me was in that article re GM crops....they have a "natural pesticide" built into the DNA of the GM corn

[Lara]

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/about_us/...ly04270701.asp
David Suzuki Foundation
April 27,2007
"What's going on? Scientists don't really know, but concern is high enough to have prompted a working group of researchers in the U.S. to study the problem. From what they've been able to determine so far, stress may play a key role." - Dr David Suzuki.

[reverett123]

and with good reason. This is not a minor affair and I have been following it for several weeks now. First of all it isn't limited to the US. Countries as far away as Taiwan have been reporting the same thing. Second, unless I missed it, the "authoritative" article made zero mention of the leading possibility (IMHO) - GMO crops, particularly those that incorporate Bt.

But what chills me is that the clover is now blooming here in Tennessee. Normally there would be honeybees buzzing all over now. I have been unable to spot even ONE with a week of looking. This is NOT good folks.

If this is as widespread as it seems, it would be hard to overstate the impact. Try this timeline for the next couple of years:
1) Near zero pollination of spring crops (now)
2) Rumors of impending food shortages through summer leading to increased crisis of consumer confidence
3) As it becomes clear that there really is a serious shortage coming in the Fall, who to blame focusses on the GMOs and by implication the Multinationals in general
4) Real food riots and martial law, with Bush at the helm
5) And that's just the first year

Has anyone read "The Sheep Look Up" by, John Brunner? Written 30 years ago, it is so on-the-money that it is scary.

From Amazon:
In particular he forecast increasing solipsism and isolationism in American politics and cultural life; he predicted a decline in the quality of political life, to the point where the American presidency would be occupied by a semi-literate figurehead whose job is to recite comforting and irrelevant platitudes into a microphone on his way from one glamorous gig to the next. His "Prexy" character seemed like a good fit for Reagan a while back, but the current Bush (the 2nd of that name) is an even closer match.

Brunner forecast the dumbing down of media, the intrusion of advertising into the most intimate spaces of daily life. He forecast the sidelining of "healthy lifestyle" products and choices into a yuppie trend (organic food becoming a boutique item) and the demonisation of environmentalists as "terrorists" and criminals. He forecast a degradation of community life, the rise of private security forces, and an increasing gap between (very) rich and (powerless) poor people."

And you all thought I just focused on PD...

[rosebud]

Dr. David Suzuki is one of my all time favorite heros that walk on this planet. I believe it was he who said "if we killed all the insects on this earth, in 5 years the planet would be dead. If we killed of all the humans, in 5 years this planet would be thriving." Who is the real pestulence?

I hadn't heard about the bees....but global warming and the Kyoto accord are both on my front page. The Canadian Prime Minister needs to do a lot better about stepping up to the plate and taking action. We sit on a huge percentage of the worlds fresh water supply and are wealthy beyond belief in Natural resources. I think that gives a lot of Canadians a very arrogant and ignorant attitude. Thanks for listening to my brief rant!