Pesticides to Blame for Bee-Colony Collapse

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Sun, 2012-04-08 17:47 — Kathy Gilbeaux

A bee is seen sitting on a Marigold flower in a field of a private plantation near the village of Pishchalovo, about 220 km (138 miles) east of Minsk in this July 18, 2011 file photogaph. Credit: Reuters/Vasily Fedosenko/Files

(LINKS TO THE 3 STUDIES AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST)

SEATTLE TIMES - A new study released yesterday, and two published last week, strengthen the case that neonicotinoid pesticides are key drivers behind declining bee populations — alone and especially in combination with other stressors. This class of pesticides covers 143 million acres of U.S. countryside, and more damning studies are awaiting publication. (Read this article in link below)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/northwestvoices/2017923620_beeslet.html

REUTERS - In recent years, bee populations have been dropping rapidly, partly due to a phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder. Scientists also fear pesticides are destroying bee populations, but it is not clear how they are causing damage. (Read this article in link below)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/29/us-science-pesticides-bees-idUSBRE82S12P20120329

A Common Pesticide Decreases Foraging Success and Survival in Honey Bees
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/early/2012/03/28/science.1215039

Neonicotinoid Pesticide Reduces Bumble Bee Colony Growth and Queen Production
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/early/2012/03/28/science.1215025

In Situ Replication of Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder

(about this Harvard study) - http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/2012-releases/colony-collapse-disorder-pesticide.html

(8 page "corrected proof") - http://www.bouldercountybeekeepers.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Lu-final-proof1.pdf - (also see attachment for this "corrected proof")