The mysterious 4-year-old crisis of disappearing honey bees is deepening. A quick federal survey indicates a heavy bee die-off this winter, while a new study shows honeybees' pollen and hives laden with pesticides.
Scientists are concerned because of the vital role bees play in our food supply. About one-third of the human diet is from plants that require pollination from honeybees, which means every thing from apples and zucchini.
"Its gotten so much worse in the recent past four years," said Jeff Pettis, research leader of the Department of Agriculture's Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, Md. "We're just not keeping bees alive that long."
Among all the stresses to bee health, it's the pesticides that are attracting scrutiny now. A study published in the scientific journal PLOS (Public Library of Science)indicate about three out of five pollen and wax samples from 23 states had at least one systemic pesticide - a chemical designed to spread throughout all parts of a plant. The PLOS study found 121 different types of pesticides within 887 wax, pollen, bee and hive samples.
None of the chemicals themselves were at high enough levels to kill bees, he said, but it was the combination and variety of them that is worrisome.
University of Illinois entomologist May Berenbaum called the results "kind of alarming." Berenbaum's research shows pesticides are not the only problem. She said multiple viruses also are attacking the bees, making it touch to propose a single solution.
Source: Garance Burke and Seth Borenstein, Associated Press.
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