Category Archives: Diseases and pesticides

Insecticide implicated in bee decline

Honeybees, bumblebees and many other insects are being slowly poisoned to death by persistent insecticides used to protect agricultural crops. Small doses of the toxic chemicals accumulate over time, meaning that there is no safe level of exposure. That’s the … Continue reading

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New Honeybee Breed Key to Combating Colony Collapse Disorder

A British beekeeper has been working on creating a new strain of honeybee resistant to the varroa mite, a prime suspect in colony collapse disorder (CCD), and it looks like he’s hit a high note after 18 years of careful … Continue reading

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UPDATE 2-Monsanto fined $2.5 mln on pesticide/seed misbrand

Monsanto Co (MON.N) has agreed to pay a $2.5 million fine for misbranding biotech cotton seeds in what regulators called the largest settlement of its kind for violating U.S. insecticide law.

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Continued decline in honey bee colonies confirmed by latest survey

According to a recent survey conducted by the Apiary Inspectors of America and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, beekeepers report a 33.8 percent decline in managed honey bee colonies nationwide. The reported losses were from all causes during the period … Continue reading

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Varroa investigation notes bees don’t respect borders

A simulation to see how Australia would cope if the varroa mite was discovered in the nation’s honeybee population has uncovered just how difficult it would be to cope. Read more

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USDA begins survey of honeybee colonies in 13 states

Concerned Agriculture Department officials on Monday announced the start of an ambitious survey of honeybee colonies in California and a dozen other states. Read more

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Varroa bee mite found further south in New Zealand

The varroa bee mite has spread further south, with reports of infected hives in Queenstown and Central Otago. Read more

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Microbial team may be culprit in colony collapse disorder

New research from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) identifies a new potential cause for “Colony Collapse Disorder” in honeybees. A group of pathogens including a fungus and family of viruses may be working together to cause the decline. … Continue reading

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“Nicotine Bees” Population Restored With Neonicotinoids Ban

Following France and Germany, last year the Italian Agriculture Ministry suspended the use of a class of pesticides, nicotine-based neonicotinoids, as a “precautionary measure.” The compelling results – restored bee populations – prompted the government to uphold the ban. Read … Continue reading

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Honeybee-killing mites invade Japan

The mites, known by the scientific name Acarapis woodi and measuring 0.1 millimeter long, were found having parasitized in bees’ airways, according to the investigation by Nagoya University and the National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, based in Tsukuba, … Continue reading

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