Where are the Bees Going

If man has never understood how much his survival has hinged on one insect, he knows now. I am speaking of the common every day honeybee. Man could be wiped out if he can not find out what is killing the bees. Bee populations are declining not only in the US, but in countries of Europe also. Populations are declining at an alarming rate of up to 80 % in different areas of the world. In Texas, they have seen a fall of numbers up to a rate of 60%. California has seen bee colonies drop off from 30 to 60 %, plants depend on bees to pollinate without bees all crops could find themselves in trouble.

There are several items being blamed for the decline of bees, from pesticides, to toxins, even infections, or viruses. A study by scientist has found hives empty of most of the colony and the remaining members were found to have as many as 4 to 6 different bee infections. In Europe, they are not finding the bees dead in the hives. The scientist believe that something, pesticides or some other villain is causing the bees to become disoriented and unable to return to the hive. Moreover, without pollen the bees are unable to make honey and whole hives starve.

Scientist even believe that genetically altered crops may be responsible for the decline of bees. According to a professor at the University of Halle in eastern Germany, the bacterial toxin in the genetically modified corn may have "altered bee's intestines, sufficiently weakening the bees to allow parasites to gain entry. No one knows for sure what is causing the decline of bees, but they know this is very serious and are digging hard to find out the cause, before it is too late for them as well as us.

Earl Gile