Re: US sees massive drop in bumble bees

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eeek

US sees massive drop in bumble bees
January 03, 2011 04:43PM

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Weakened by inbreeding and disease, bumble bees have died off at an astonishing rate over the past 20 years, with US populations diving more than 90 percent

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-01-massive-bumble-bees.html

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Bee

Re: US sees massive drop in bumble bees
January 03, 2011 09:11PM

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This is very alarming; there is just no good news on the front for Bees, lately! I have been watching a video series (NPR Science Friday) on how bees pick out a new colony site -- fascinating in the decoding of bee "wiggles" for indicating distance!

The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.

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Frank Furter

Re: US sees massive drop in bumble bees
January 03, 2011 10:19PM

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It is remarkable that honey does not need refrigeration, considering the consistency and caloric content. However, honey has a dark side: it is essentially regurgitated partially digested nectar (bee vomit), can produce botulism in infants, and can contain toxins such as those in oleanders or other toxic plants.

The cure for a fallacious argument is a better argument, not the suppression of ideas.
-- Carl Sagan

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tomdisco

Re: US sees massive drop in bumble bees
January 04, 2011 06:52AM

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Posts: 1,882

Quote
Bee
This is very alarming; there is just no good news on the front for Bees, lately! I have been watching a video series (NPR Science Friday) on how bees pick out a new colony site -- fascinating in the decoding of bee "wiggles" for indicating distance!

Bee, have you come up with a new way to discuss trail milage? Funny bee

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Bee

Re: US sees massive drop in bumble bees
January 04, 2011 11:50PM

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Registered: 15 years ago
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Watch the video #3 The "Waggle Dance" -- it is really nifty!

http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/201012245

The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/04/2011 11:53PM by Bee.

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tomdisco

Re: US sees massive drop in bumble bees
January 06, 2011 12:03PM

Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 1,882

The other reason honeybees seldom sting while swarming is that their abdomens are full of as much honey as they can manage to bring with them from the old hive. The swarm itself is caused by the presence of more than one queen in the hive. One of them has to go and takes most of the colony with her.