57 Different Pesticides Found in Poisoned European Honey Bees

[BeeMaster2]

57 Different Pesticides Found in Poisoned European Honey Bees

A new method to detect a wide range of pesticides could
help save bee populations

Elsevier

Amsterdam, February 10, 2016 - European honey bees are being poisoned with up to 57 different pesticides, according to new research published in the Journal of Chromatography A. A new method for detecting a whole range of pesticides in bees could help unravel the mystery behind the widespread decline of honey bees in recent years, and help develop an approach to saving them.

Honey bees are under threat globally: in the US, dramatic declines in bee populations due to a condition called colony collapse disorder (CCD) continues to put crops at risk an farmers out of business. Several studies have shown a link between pesticide use and bee deaths and the European Union has banned the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.

But it's not as simple as banning one pesticide that's killing bees; the relationship between pesticide use and bee death is complex and scientists are still trying to figure out exactly what's happening. In the new study, researchers from the National Veterinary Research Institute in Poland have developed a method for analyzing 200 pesticides at the same time, to figure out what's really putting honey bees at risk.

"Bee health is a matter of public concern -- bees are considered critically important for the environment and agriculture by pollinating more than 80% of crops and wild plants in Europe," said Tomasz Kiljanek, lead author of the study from the National Veterinary Research Institute in Poland. "We wanted to develop a test for a large number of pesticides currently approved for use in the European Union to see what is poisoning the bees."

With so many pesticides currently in use, it's difficult to work out which ones are harming the bees. Certain combinations of pesticides, or their use over time, could affect honeybees in different ways. In order to understand what's really going on, we need to know which pesticides and at what concentration levels are present in honeybees.

Kiljanek and the team used a method called QuEChERS, which is currently used to detect pesticides in food. With this analysis, they could test poisoned bees for 200 different pesticides simultaneously, as well as several additional compounds created when the pesticides are broken down. About 98% of the pesticides they tested for are approved for use in the European Union.

The team used the method to investigate more than 70 honey bee poisoning incidents. Their findings revealed 57 different pesticides present in the bees -- it's a toxic puzzle they hope their new method will help solve.

"This is just the beginning of our research on the impact of pesticides on honey bee health," said Kiljanek. "Honey bee poisoning incidents are the tip of the iceberg. Even at very low levels, pesticides can weaken bees' defense systems, allowing parasites or viruses to kill the colony. Our results will help expand our knowledge about the influence of pesticides on honey bee health, and will provide important information for other researchers to better assess the risk connected with the mix of current used pesticides."

[tjc1]

Thanks for posting these articles, sawdst -

[BeeMaster2]

No problem. I'm glad you enjoy them.
Jim

[FlexMedia.tv]

Thank you for posting this Sawdstmakr,
I start my first hives this Spring. I'm going to have to re-think my plans here. I absolutely hate mosquitos. You have no idea what I do every year to keep those darn things away! But, what I have been doing is buying these expensive remedies (somewhat) made especially for mosquitos like pucks for standing water, granules to spread on the lawn, fog machine, you name it. What's my alternative? I see some non toxic traps of some sort on line. I plan on surrounding my hives with a flower garden. I'm going to have to study up on this subject too.

Art

[KeyLargoBees]

Bat houses and or Purple Martin houses....will help but living in the Florida Keys and dealing with the lil bastiches 11 months out of the year  I would say a natural immunity to the sting developed over time is your best defense....oh and ignoring the publicity hype about all these mosquito borne diseases.

[Acebird]

Probably the best way to solve the pesticide issue is to remove people from the area that the pests need to live.

[FlexMedia.tv]

Maybe I'll sit around the yard in my beekeeper suit and hope they can't suck my blood though it! :-)