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No new decline in bees



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Published Date: 06 October 2008
Struan Stevenson, MEP, writes about current concerns that "bees are dying out globally at an alarming rate", (Debate & Opinion, 3 October). However, concerns about the death of bees should not make people think that this is purely a modern phenomenon.
As with much that relates to changing climate patterns, for example, this has happened before. While it is definitely a concern, we should consult medieval records. One such instance is an entry in the Annals of Ulster for 951 which reports, "a mortality of bees".

ANDREW HN GRAY
Craiglea Drive
Edinburgh

I'd like to make a plea on bees' behalf. In my garden, I have a small tree – an introduction from Australia in Victorian times. The Eucrypia nymaneusis has a profusion of large white cup-shaped blossoms in September/early October. This results in hundreds of bees busy foraging at a time when most other flowers are over. The tree thinks it's spring, being an Aussie, and the bees reap the benefit. So, fellow gardeners – if you have a sheltered spot to spare – have a thought for the bees.

A MUIR
Ashley Drive
Edinburgh



The full article contains 189 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 05 October 2008 8:47 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Slioch,

Scottish Highlands 06/10/2008 08:01:40
ANDREW HN GRAY appears to misunderstand the causes of honey bee declines.

As Struan Stevenson's article outlines, there are many factors that may be causing honey bee declines. Of these, climate change is probably thus far the least potent, though bad summers such as those experienced in the UK for the last couple of years can certainly contribute to local declines.

Of far greater concern as far as honey bee decline is concerned is the varroa mite and neonicitinoid pesticides such as imidacloprid (that have now been banned in Germany, France and Italy), and the other factors mentioned in Stevenson's article.

See, for example,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/29/endangeredspecies.wildlife

Whatever was going on in Ulster in 951AD, it certainly wasn’t anything to do with these modern problems, which simply did not exist then.

Stevenson's article is here:
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/opinion/Mass-loss-of-bees-threatens.4555251.jp

 

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