tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34810949.post824265640878001743..comments2018-08-05T07:17:13.094-07:00Comments on Nancy Michaud: wannabe artist.: Where have all the bumbles gone?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34810949.post-84957000917451176582007-05-22T18:13:00.000-07:002007-05-22T18:13:00.000-07:00the most likely causes are naturally occuring micr...the most likely causes are naturally occuring micro-organisms that parasitically host on bees. The numbers of these are up significantly, largely due to a recent major decrease in pesticide applications to commercial crops due to innovations in IPM and because of the decreased need to use them on bioengineered crops.<BR/><BR/>The parasites are readily dispersed among bee colonies because of their social nature, lack of well-structured immune systems, and the fact that the breeding of domestic bees for crop production purposes relies solely on a few inbred lines. These lines are inherently more stable, but also more susceptible to the phenomena of colony-collapse when introduced to foreign organsisms.<BR/><BR/>The good news is that the current decline pales in comparison with other major historic bee colony declines. Short-term, yes your "organically grown" strawberries are probably going to cost you a few cents more per pound. Long-term, the bees will be back as the ones that are chosen by natural selection survive and prosper, and the resulting rebound will produce a succession of many healthy generations of bees.<BR/><BR/>The point in short is, before we blame the crops themselves, pesticides...or insanely enough even cellphones (which I recommend you keep btw), we should examine this current bee decline in the aspect of uneducated mass-consumerism masquerading as being "environmentally friendly"...it's the most likely culprit.<BR/><BR/><BR/>-c<BR/><BR/><BR/>ps: A tip; use a q-tip to pollinate your strawberries.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com