Photo: Consumeraffairs.com
The USDA reports that the great disappearing honeybee mystery is most likely a virus problem and not pesticides or cell phones as blamed earlier. A virus that appears to originate in Israel and has spread. New stresses on the honey bee have not help the problem and posses a problem as the bees are responsible for $15 billion in added crop value. Something even farmers in Ohio need to be concerned about.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a rare virus originating in Israel is most likely responsible for the dramatic and sudden disappearance of honey bees.
In a report, USDA researchers identified Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus as the probable cause of Colony Collapse Disorder, in which bees abandon their hives. While they say the evidence is not entirely conclusive, it points to IAPV as the most likely cause.
In announcing its suspicions, USDA said the virus could severely hamper U.S. food production. As a solution, the agency says growers may have to artificially pollinate their crops.
Earlier theories put the blame on pesticides and even cell phones.
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