Latest Pesticide toxicity to bees Stories
Honey bees industriously bring pollen and nectar to the hive, but along with the bounty comes a wide variety of pesticides, according to Penn State researchers. Add the outside assault to the pesticides already in the waxy structure of the hive, and bee researchers see a problem difficult to evaluate and correct. However, an innovative approach may mitigate at least some beeswax contamination.The researchers presented their analysis of pollen, brood, adult bees and wax samples today (Aug. 18)...
By AL MEYERHOFF It's likely that most people have never heard of Gaucho. And no, it's not a South American cowboy. I'm talking about a pesticide. There is increasing reason to believe that Gaucho and other members of a family of highly toxic chemicals -- neonicotinoids -- may be responsible for the deaths of billions of honeybees worldwide. Some scientists believe that these pesticides, which are applied to seeds, travel systemically through the plant and leave residues that contaminate...
By Hal Bernton, Seattle Times Jul. 31--The National Marine Fisheries Services will review the effects of 37 pesticides on salmon and steelhead under a lawsuit settlement reached Wednesday with environmental and fishing groups. The federal fisheries agency will complete the reviews over a four-year period. The first deadlines are in October, when the agency is supposed to finalize three biological opinions on organophosphate pesticides. Most of the 37 pesticides have been found in...
By The Monterey County Herald, Calif. Jul. 29--A number of farm labor, public health and environmental groups said Monday they filed a lawsuit challenging the Environmental Protection Agency over the continued use of the pesticide diazinon. The groups said diazinon, which has been widely used on Monterey County crops, is one of the most toxic pesticides on the market. Diazinon is used on broccoli, cherries, pears, spinach, tomatoes, apples and blueberries, the groups said. The EPA...
One of the biggest world wide threats to honey bees, the varroa mite, could soon be about to meet its nemesis. Researchers at the University of Warwick are examining naturally occurring fungi that kill the varroa mite. They are also exploring a range of ways to deliver the killer fungus throughout the hives from bee fungal foot baths to powder sprays.It well known that bees world wide are suffering serious declines and one of the causes of that decline is the varroa mite, Varroa destructor....
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has revoked regulations allowing residues of the pesticide carbofuran in food and drinking water. The agency said it is concerned about possible safety risks to young children. Carbofuran is a broad spectrum insecticide sprayed directly onto soil and plants to control beetles, nematodes and rootworm. The EPA said the greatest use of carbofuran is on alfalfa and rice, although it is also used on turf and grapes. Even though carbofuran is used on a...
By Christine Weeber Pesticides often have larger effects than we intend. Some of those used in responding to the mountain pine beetle infestation are no different. Carbaryl, the active ingredient in the most common sprays used to protect trees against beetles, is one of these. It is a neurotoxin that is dangerous to humans and pets through skin contact, inhalation and ingestion through food or water. And it is highly toxic to bees, stoneflies and some fish. In 2005, 12 groups representing...
WASHINGTON -- Scientific sleuths have a new suspect for what's been killing billions of honeybees: a virus previously unknown in the United States. The scientists report using a novel genetic technique and old-fashioned statistics to identify Israeli acute paralysis virus as the latest potential culprit in the widespread deaths of worker bees, a phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder.Next up are attempts to infect honeybees with the newfound virus to see if it's indeed a killer."At...
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Scientists investigating a mysterious ailment that killed many of the nation's honeybees are concentrating on pesticides and a new pathogen as possible culprits, and some beekeepers are already trying to keep their colonies away from pesticide-exposed fields.After months of study, researchers are finding it difficult to tie the die-off to any single factor, said Maryann Frazier, a senior extension associate in Penn State University's entomology department."Two things...
BELTSVILLE, Md. -- Unless someone or something stops it soon, the mysterious killer that is wiping out many of the nation's honeybees could have a devastating effect on America's dinner plate, perhaps even reducing us to a glorified bread-and-water diet.Honeybees don't just make honey; they pollinate more than 90 of the tastiest flowering crops we have.Among them: apples, nuts, avocados, soybeans, asparagus, broccoli, celery, squash and cucumbers. And lots of the really sweet and tart stuff,...
