Last edited Sun Nov 17, 2019, 06:12 PM - Edit history (2)
The following quote from the story suggests that the causation chain for colony collapse disorder remains a bit unclear.
The virus’ relative role in the demise of colonies has not been measured -- it would be difficult to separate it from a cocktail of pathogens and stresses negatively affecting bees, Chen said.
“I want to be cautious,” Chen said. “The cause of colony collapse disorder remains unclear. But we do have evidence that TRSV along with other viruses that we screen on a regular basis are associated with lower rates of over-winter survival.”
Indeed, the new virus, along with the well documented Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus, was correlated with colonies deemed “weak” due to a variety of stresses. It also showed a similar seasonal fluctuation -- infection rates rose to a 22.5% high in winter, according to the study.
That colonies suffer greater losses in winter might suggest that the work they do during the pollination season, coming into contact with pollen born virus or the other virus they catch, and pesticides, might not kill them right off. It may just stress them out to the point of their being unable to maintain the colony once the seasonal work ends.
It still appears to be a multifactor problem
CCD = A + B + C + sundry factors
colony collapse disorder as a function of the colony members coming into contact with A (pesticides) B (poor nutrition, the fast food provided for them by big business bee keepers) C (virus of one type or another) plus more specific environmental factors.
Green Nature
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