Comment Re:American honeybees... (Score 2, Interesting) 322
It very well may be Russian bees...
from http://urbansurvival.com/nl20070224a.htm: (Saturday Feb 24th)
Bee Story
The collapse of bee colonies has something to do with Russia? Well, here's an email to ponder from a bee-keeping reader: "Hello George, Just a comment on the honey bee problems in the US. I agree that genetically modified plant-life may be causing many problems for the bee population. There is also another possible cause that non-beekeepers probably wouldn't know about. Over the years the honey bee population in the US has been greatly reduced due to attacks of Tracheal mites, Varroa mites, and Hive beetles. Two years ago, in an effort to replenish the bee supply, the government introduced a program to give away "Russian" honeybees. In the US, most beekeepers keep "Italian" honeybees. The "Russian" bees were supposed to be more resistant to the Varroa mites. The original deal was that selected beekeepers would receive (free-of-charge) 2 packages of "Russian" bees and 2 hives. In exchange the beekeepers agreed to not sell the hives for 3 years and to allow regular inspections by government officials. Due to an overwhelming response by beekeepers the deal was later changed to 1 hive of "Russian" and 1 hive of "Italian" bees. I did not take part in the program but I did keep watch on the results in my state. Within the first year (2005) all 250 hives of "Russian" bees that were introduced into this state were dead. I personally know two beekeepers who took part in the program. By the end to 2006, one had lost 43 hives to "Colony Collapse", the other had lost 200 hives (his entire operation) to "Colony Collapse" I don't know if there is a connection or just a horrible coincidence but perhaps the plants aren't the only things being "modified".
The collapse of bee colonies has something to do with Russia? Well, here's an email to ponder from a bee-keeping reader: "Hello George, Just a comment on the honey bee problems in the US. I agree that genetically modified plant-life may be causing many problems for the bee population. There is also another possible cause that non-beekeepers probably wouldn't know about. Over the years the honey bee population in the US has been greatly reduced due to attacks of Tracheal mites, Varroa mites, and Hive beetles. Two years ago, in an effort to replenish the bee supply, the government introduced a program to give away "Russian" honeybees. In the US, most beekeepers keep "Italian" honeybees. The "Russian" bees were supposed to be more resistant to the Varroa mites. The original deal was that selected beekeepers would receive (free-of-charge) 2 packages of "Russian" bees and 2 hives. In exchange the beekeepers agreed to not sell the hives for 3 years and to allow regular inspections by government officials. Due to an overwhelming response by beekeepers the deal was later changed to 1 hive of "Russian" and 1 hive of "Italian" bees. I did not take part in the program but I did keep watch on the results in my state. Within the first year (2005) all 250 hives of "Russian" bees that were introduced into this state were dead. I personally know two beekeepers who took part in the program. By the end to 2006, one had lost 43 hives to "Colony Collapse", the other had lost 200 hives (his entire operation) to "Colony Collapse" I don't know if there is a connection or just a horrible coincidence but perhaps the plants aren't the only things being "modified".
