The attempts to discover the causes of the die off of bees in the USA continues. This effort provides a good example of the difficulty of learning what really happens around us. Often, once things are worked out, and explained they seem simple and even obvious. But while trying to figure events taking place (like the bee colony collapses), scientists have significant challenges. The hard work and the application of scientific concepts by scientists allow us to learn and adapt. I think the difficulty can paint a valuable picture of what science is about. That search for understanding is wonderful to see and something fundamental to the human experience. Disappearing Bee Mystery Deepens
One year ago, beekeepers across the country began to report that worker bees were inexplicably abandoning their hives and leaving the brood to die. Although firm statistics are hard to come by, so-called colony collapse disorder may have afflicted as many as 25% of U.S. beekeepers and perhaps others around the world. Possible culprits included pesticides, parasites, and chronic stress from poor nutrition and the long-distance truck rides that many commercial hives undergo.
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For that matter, no one has yet shown that IAPV can cause colonies to collapse. “Until you have introduced the virus and caused disease, you’re just postulating,” cautions Bruce Webb, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. “The conclusive data are not in.”
Related: Bye Bye Bees - Virus Found to be One Likely Factor in Bee Colony Collapse Disorder
February 24th, 2008 at 9:20 am
[...] search for answers. As I stated earlier much of science is not about simple obvious truths but a search through confusing signs to try and determine what is going on. Answering why, is not always so easy as it appears when [...]
May 3rd, 2008 at 7:34 pm
“The survey found that about 35% of all the colonies in the U.S. died last winter. Of those that died, 71% died of natural causes, 29% from symptoms that are suspect colony collapse disorder…”
May 25th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
“The move follows reports from German beekeepers in the Baden-Württemberg region that two thirds of their bees died earlier this month following the application of a pesticide called clothianidin…”