Article Title: Saving the Honeybees
Authors: Diana Cox-Foster & Dennis vanEngelsdorp
- Colony collapse disorder has killed many numbers of bees that pollinate a third of our crops
- Millions of bees are disappearing putting 100 of our crops in trouble as they require pollination
- Researches are saying that a complex disease are putting bees vulnerable to virus's
- Antirival drugs and hive hygiene care is put into action
- 30% of colonies have died in affected farms
- 36% of beekeepers have been hit
- Large monocultures require lots of pollination
- Varroa mites were responsible for the bee's decline in 1987
- Longterm changes and environmental care can aid in helping reduce CCD
- Large scale production of crops could become impossible
- Each colony of bees have suffered from a different combo of diseases
- It is hard to figure out a "cure" if the cure is needed to fix a lot of diseases at once
- IAPV have been found in most colonies
- IAPV could have caused many diseases for bees
- IAPV have been found in many cases around the world too
- Some colonies have been able to rid themselves of the virus
- Vaccines won't work on honey bees
- Some beekeepers have been successful in helping the bees by making their diets better
- Good hygiene have also helped the bees
- Sterilizing the beehive frames with gammarays can also reduce the risk of the virus
Summary:
Many beekeepers have been scared to find that their bees are vulnerable to the "buzz" that has been around which is responsible for the bee's deaths. This is Colony Collapse Disorder. The disorder has been able to kill an average of 30% of many beekeeper's colonies. Many might not be interested on this topic, but many of these bees are responsible for the pollination of our crops; 100 of our crops to be exact. Many of the researches have tried to find the cause of this starting from diseases dated all the way back in the 1980's to the pests and insects that are nuisance's to the bees. The researchers have finally found a cause for this and it might be IAVP. This has been around in cases not only in the U.S but in colonies around the world too. Vaccines for the bees are hard to find as their immune system is very complex. However some beekeepers have found success in keeping a good bee diet and having them have good hygiene.
My thoughts:
I have known that the bees have been a great service to our human race, but I have never known that they are becoming threatened. Now knowing that they are needed for 100 of our crops, I believe that something should be done immediately to stop CCD. Since many beekeepers have been able to be successful in aiding the bees through good hygiene and good diets, I believe all beekeepers should start doing the same thing; at least until the researchers can find an absolute way to stop the disorder.
So What?
If the bee's decline even more, 100 of our crops could be left without pollination.
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Says who?
Diana Cox-Foster & Dennis vanEngelsdorp, beekeepers worldwide, and reserachers.
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What if?
the crops were never pollinated and the bees were continuing to die off CCD?
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This Reminds Me Of...
Bee movie as the bees actually have a great purpose in the world and the bees in the movie were also dying massively.
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