U.S. report downplays pesticides as colony collapse cause

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Pesticides are commonly blamed for bee colony collapse. But they are way down the list of causes cited by a multi-department U.S. government report released in early May. The study cites the parasitic mite Varroa destructor as the primary underlying cause.

Also named are "multiple virus species," bacterial disease European foulbrood, nutrition, and gut microbes that "play key roles in enhancement of nutrition, detoxification of chemicals and protection against diseases."

The solutions include: greater genetic diversity among honeybee colonies with breeding to emphasize traits such as hygienic behaviour that would improve disease resistance. And there is the issue of nutrition. Row crops aren't good for bees. Forage crops are. Supplemental feeding doesn't make up the difference.

A press release says the role of pesticides needs more study. The report is from a stakeholder conference organized in Alexandria Va. last October. BF