"Greenhouse" bees spread disease to wild bees

[ensho]

http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSN2232266420080723


Disease spread to wild bees from commercially bred bees used for pollination in agriculture greenhouses may be playing a role in the mysterious decline in North American bee populations, researchers said on Tuesday.

-snip-

Most of the parasites in the wild bumblebees were found to be at normal levels except for one intestinal parasite known as Crithidia bombi that is common in commercial bee colonies but typically absent in wild bumblebees.

The researchers found that up to half of wild bumblebees near the greenhouses were infected with this parasite.

-snip-

He said the parasite weakens and often kills bees. The "spillover" of disease from commercial colonies may be a factor in the decline of bee populations in North America, he added.
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[RaleighNCDUer]

1. I have not seen a single bee yet this year.

And that scares the shit out of me.

[dysfunctional press]

2. i haven't seen as many as i might expect...

especially considering the amount of clover i have in my lawn yard.

[formercia]

3. Bees here

but I have not used pesticides in over 8 years and grow many plants attractive to honey bees and other species. Small flowers like carrot and queen ann's lace are attractive to wasps. I find they do a better job of patrolling my plants for insects than using sprays.