NATURE: Silence of the Bees

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 06-19-2008
InfiniteNow's Avatar
-

Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 8,360
InfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond repute
NATURE: Silence of the Bees

As most of you have probably heard, there is an issue with honeybees dying off. It has been termed as "Colony Collapse Disorder."


The PBS program, Nature, recently had a wonderful special on the issue called "Silence of the Bees."

Nature . Honeybees, Colony Collapse Disorder | Silence of the Bees: Introduction | PBS

Quote:
In the winter of 2006, a strange phenomenon fell upon honeybee hives across the country. Without a trace, millions of bees vanished from their hives. A precious pollinator of fruits and vegetables, the disappearing bees left billions of dollars of crops at risk and threatened our food supply. The epidemic set researchers scrambling to discover why honeybees were dying in record numbers — and to stop the epidemic in its tracks before it spread further.

Silence of the Bees is the first in-depth look at the search to uncover what is killing the honeybee. The filmmakers of Bees take viewers around the world to the sites of fallen hives, to high-tech labs, where scientists race to uncover clues, and even deep inside honeybee colonies. Silence of the Bees is the story of a riveting, ongoing investigation to save honeybees from dying out. The film goes beyond the unsolved mystery to tell the story of the honeybee itself, its invaluable impact on our diets and takes a look at what’s at stake if honeybees disappear. Silence of the Bees explores the complex world of the honeybee in crisis and instills in viewers a sense of urgency to learn ways to help these extraordinary animals.

You can watch the entire program online for free at the following link:

Nature . Silence of the Bees ~ Video: Full Episode | PBS



They even discuss an alternative to pollination at the end of the program should the bees keep dying. Pretty amazing, although a bit different in scope.

The breaking news seems to be a virus from Australian bees which had been imported. Almost like the effect of smallpox on native americans.

Here is a preview:




Let's just say the bees keep dying. While we'd prefer to avoid that, it might happen.

What are your suggestions for alternatives?
What can we do instead?
What are the costs and benefits of your suggestion
__________________
Remember, we cannot see everything even when it is there right in front of us.
"We succeeded in taking that picture [from deep space], and, if you look at it, you see a dot. That's here. That's home. That's us." - YouTube: Pale Blue Dot
(Photo of Earth, February 1990 - Voyager 1: Distance of Pluto)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
InfiniteNow
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 06-19-2008
InfiniteNow's Avatar
-

Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 8,360
InfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond repute
Re: NATURE: Silence of the Bees

I'm not sure I captured this fairly above. There seem to be three primary drivers to the collapse:

  1. Parasites from Australian bees (impacting them like smallpox did the indians when europeans came to north america)
  2. Pesticides which impact the nervous system and cause difficulty learning/remembering where the hive is
  3. Malnutrition (since the bees are feeding on single crops for weeks at a time, instead of many different plants and flowers, they are malnourished, and are experiencing something akin to scurvy)

All of these factors are making them more vulnerable to disease and illness. These diseases and illnesses were never such a factor in the past, but when afflicting bees all at the same time, their effects are cumulative.
__________________
Remember, we cannot see everything even when it is there right in front of us.
"We succeeded in taking that picture [from deep space], and, if you look at it, you see a dot. That's here. That's home. That's us." - YouTube: Pale Blue Dot
(Photo of Earth, February 1990 - Voyager 1: Distance of Pluto)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
InfiniteNow
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 06-20-2008
Moontanman's Avatar
Astounding Vision
2 Many Bugs Champion!
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: South Eastern North Carolina, Cape Fear Region
Posts: 2,774
Blog Entries: 3
Moontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to Moontanman
Re: NATURE: Silence of the Bees

My wifes cousin just got into bees last summer with five hives and now he has fifteen hives by capturing the swarms this spring. he also has honey by the gallon. His hives are doing extremely well. He doesn't move his hives from place to place and they are near a huge public flower garden. so far no hive collapse problems.
__________________
Michael

Nuclear is the only real option!
http://www.nuclearspace.com/Liberty_ship_menupg.aspx

Who died and left you in charge? Captain Bipto!

The early bird might get the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese!

Life is the poetry of the universe.
Love is the poetry of life.

Over heard from a three year old, "Daddy why do my toes get sticky when I eat strawberry jam?"

Never wrestle a troll. You both get dirty and the troll likes it

Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 06-20-2008
Pyrotex's Avatar
Slaying Bad Memes
Latest blog: The Problem With Ike
Hypography Staff Member
Moderator
Editor
13 Days in Hell Champion!
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 3,848
Blog Entries: 7
Pyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via MSN to Pyrotex
Re: NATURE: Silence of the Bees

I guess going around to all the hives and giving each bee a teensy-tiny little flu-shot is out of the question, hunh?
__________________
Hypography Forums Moderator
-- - - - - -
What concerns me is not the way things are, but rather the way people think things are.
Epictetus, Greek Philosopher
The map is NOT the territory.
Korzybski, Polish-American Philosopher
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 06-20-2008
Moontanman's Avatar
Astounding Vision
2 Many Bugs Champion!
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: South Eastern North Carolina, Cape Fear Region
Posts: 2,774
Blog Entries: 3
Moontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to Moontanman
Re: NATURE: Silence of the Bees

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pyrotex View Post
I guess going around to all the hives and giving each bee a teensy-tiny little flu-shot is out of the question, hunh?
If you went around the hive I'm sure each one would be willing to give you a teensy tiny shot!
__________________
Michael

Nuclear is the only real option!
http://www.nuclearspace.com/Liberty_ship_menupg.aspx

Who died and left you in charge? Captain Bipto!

The early bird might get the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese!

Life is the poetry of the universe.
Love is the poetry of life.

Over heard from a three year old, "Daddy why do my toes get sticky when I eat strawberry jam?"

Never wrestle a troll. You both get dirty and the troll likes it

Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 06-20-2008
Pyrotex's Avatar
Slaying Bad Memes
Latest blog: The Problem With Ike
Hypography Staff Member
Moderator
Editor
13 Days in Hell Champion!
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 3,848
Blog Entries: 7
Pyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond reputePyrotex has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via MSN to Pyrotex
Re: NATURE: Silence of the Bees

Are the Australian bees immune to this virus (or parasite--which?)?

Are European bees disappearing too?

Perhaps we could bring over some Auzzie Beez and cross them with our own.
__________________
Hypography Forums Moderator
-- - - - - -
What concerns me is not the way things are, but rather the way people think things are.
Epictetus, Greek Philosopher
The map is NOT the territory.
Korzybski, Polish-American Philosopher
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 06-20-2008
Galapagos's Avatar
Questioning

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: FLORIDA
Posts: 181
Galapagos has much to be proud ofGalapagos has much to be proud ofGalapagos has much to be proud ofGalapagos has much to be proud ofGalapagos has much to be proud ofGalapagos has much to be proud ofGalapagos has much to be proud ofGalapagos has much to be proud ofGalapagos has much to be proud of
Send a message via AIM to Galapagos
Re: NATURE: Silence of the Bees

I'm curious as to whether or not this is affecting the Africanized "killer" bee populations as well. In Florida, the only thing we can really do to keep them away is establish regular honey bee hives to occupy the area and try to deter the mean bees, but if all our honey bees disappear due to some honey-bee-specific pathogen or mite, it could result in a higher population of the Africanized bees...

Last edited by Galapagos; 06-20-2008 at 10:27 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 06-20-2008
InfiniteNow's Avatar
-

Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 8,360
InfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond repute
Re: NATURE: Silence of the Bees

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pyrotex View Post
Are European bees disappearing too?
Yes, the European bees are also dying. Try to remember, though, that the parasite from the Aussie bees is only one of the factors leading to colony collapse. Malnutrition and pesticides seem to play a critical role, and when all are taken in combination, our pollinating friends become really diseased and ultimatley perish.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Galapagos View Post
I'm curious as to whether or not this is affecting the Africanized "killer" bee populations as well.
That's a really good question. In fact, in the video to which I linked in the OP, they discussed how they are working to genetically modify africanized bees in such a way that they are tolerant to the Aussie parasite, to pesticides, and to single crop feeding. Let's hope they don't make matters worse, but they do appear to be trying to engineer a super bee.

I hope I've accurately represented the video. You may want to watch for yourself to validate that my summary is correct.
__________________
Remember, we cannot see everything even when it is there right in front of us.
"We succeeded in taking that picture [from deep space], and, if you look at it, you see a dot. That's here. That's home. That's us." - YouTube: Pale Blue Dot
(Photo of Earth, February 1990 - Voyager 1: Distance of Pluto)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
InfiniteNow
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 06-20-2008
modest's Avatar
Creating
Hypography Staff Member
Moderator

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: U.S. Midwest
Posts: 1,840
modest has a reputation beyond reputemodest has a reputation beyond reputemodest has a reputation beyond reputemodest has a reputation beyond reputemodest has a reputation beyond reputemodest has a reputation beyond reputemodest has a reputation beyond reputemodest has a reputation beyond reputemodest has a reputation beyond reputemodest has a reputation beyond reputemodest has a reputation beyond repute
Re: NATURE: Silence of the Bees

Are bee farms affected as well?

If a main culprit is a parasite / disease then one would assume cultivated bee farms would not be immune.

-modest
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 06-20-2008
InfiniteNow's Avatar
-

Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 8,360
InfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond reputeInfiniteNow has a reputation beyond repute
Re: NATURE: Silence of the Bees

Quote:
Originally Posted by modest View Post
Are bee farms affected as well?
AFAIK, they've been the hardest hit.
__________________
Remember, we cannot see everything even when it is there right in front of us.
"We succeeded in taking that picture [from deep space], and, if you look at it, you see a dot. That's here. That's home. That's us." - YouTube: Pale Blue Dot
(Photo of Earth, February 1990 - Voyager 1: Distance of Pluto)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
InfiniteNow
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
sweet


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Nature as GOD Mike C Theology forum 268 06-23-2008
Honey Bees Disappearing! Turtle News in Brief 175 05-18-2008
Bees, CCD, GMOs, Bats & Insects Spike Silverback Earth science 2 03-28-2008
LOUD silence armofreek Strange claims forum 6 01-21-2006

» Current Poll
Do you read popular science books?
Yes, a few each year - 60.00%
6 Votes
Yes, but very rarely - 10.00%
1 Vote
Yes, most of the time - 20.00%
2 Votes
No - 10.00%
1 Vote
Total Votes: 10
You may not vote on this poll.

All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:32 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
SEO by vBSEO 3.2.0 ©2008, Crawlability, Inc.
Copyright © 2000-2008 Hypography
Part of the Hypography - Science for Everyone Network