© iStockphotoHoney Bee
Starting in 2005, beekeepers in the United States first reported large numbers of bees mysteriously disappearing, and since then the problem has spread to different parts of the world. No one cause of the collapse has been identified, although front-running theories include parasites, viruses, stress from long-distance transport of hives for pollination, and pesticides.
"We do feel like pesticides are playing a role in pollinator decline," said researcher Maryann Frazier of Penn State University. "We know that the pesticides are there. We don't know yet exactly what role they're playing."
The recent documentary Nicotine Bees makes the case that a new class of pesticides, introduced in 2005, may be the primary cause of what has come to be known as Colony Collapse Disorder. The chemicals, known as neonicotinoids, are synthetic form of nicotine that is applied to seeds and taken up by the plant into its tissue as it grows. Insects that eat any part of the plant are then killed. Because neonicotinoids were introduced worldwide at around the same time as the first cases of colony collapse, and because they have been directly linked in some cases to massive bee die offs, they have emerged as a primary suspect in the disorder. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation has launched an investigation into some neonicotinoids, and the Sierra Club has asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban them all until they can be proven safe.
"What we're asking the EPA is to go with precautions," said the group's Laurel Hopwood. "Let's go ahead and suspend them until we get all of the research completed."
Neonicotinoid use has already been restricted in France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia.
"Some of us think we've got enough chemicals out there killing bees," said beekeeper John Talbert. "Which begs the question: What is it doing to people?"
Bees “restored to health” in Italy after this spring’s neonicotinoid-free maize sowing
"During this year’s neonicotinoid-free maize sowing in Italy hardly a bee colony has been lost, bar a suspicious case where some leftover seed from last year may have been used. (Jun '09)
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"The ban on the insecticide-soaked seed coating enforced by the Italian government last year seems to have worked wonders, judging from the freshest data collected on the ground by researchers, beekeepers and regional authorities alike." [Link]_________________________________________
China to ban fipronil insecticide
"China will gradually ban the use of fipronil because of concerns about the high harmful effect of fipronil on shellfishes and bees as it degrades slowly in water and soil." [Link]