Are the bumble/honey bees killed by Genetically Modified (GM) crops?

';Scientists are thus far stumped as to what is causing the decline, ruling out parasites but leaning towards some kind of new toxin or chemical used in agriculture as being responsible.





';Experts believe that the large-scale use of genetically modified plants in the US could be a factor,'; reports Germany's Spiegal Online. ';





http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,473166,00.htmlAre the bumble/honey bees killed by Genetically Modified (GM) crops?
Careless use of insecticides is much more likely than effects from GM crops. (Imadicloprid) Like Marv mentioned the pattern just doesn't fit. Plenty of collapsed colonies exist in areas with no GMOs





Also the Bt incorporated into GM crops is specifically toxic to a particular order of insects. Some strains of Bt will affect beetles, others flies, and others butterflies/moths. There is no strain of Bt that has been found to be toxic to hymenopterans (ants, bees %26amp; wasps).





The gut parasite they were referring to in that article was probably Nosema. Nosema apis has existed for years. Infection is obvious in the form of bee poop in the front of the hive (it's like dysentery); so the colony may be treated before it crashes. Recently Nosema cerana has been introduced from asia. it lacks the obvious poo splotches on the hive and so may be missed until the colony crashes. This may actually be a contributing factor to CCD with or without Bt gmos.





I like the Einstein quote in der spigiel; it's been traced back as far as the mid 80's. good research folks.Are the bumble/honey bees killed by Genetically Modified (GM) crops?
It doesn't seem to fit the GM crops. If that was going to be the case, you'd see a pattern of where the bees used pollen or nectar from gm crops the disorder would manifest itself. Areas without that would be safe.





The incidence of colony collapse disorder doesn't seem to follow the pattern of bees foraging on gm crops.





The disorder has widely spread very rapidly. Meaning man transported it. Either by moving bees, or by moving something else. Or its not a sickness but is caused by something used in the areas. Maybe a new insecticide or other chemical is causing it. Maybe it doesn't show until a generation or so after exposure. It's hard to tell.





But it's at the point where there is enough information that a good epidemiological study should be possible. Eliminating things not found in all places where the syndrome exists.





People who stand up and say this or that is the cause are probably just frustrated and they have a bias against something, they assume it is the cause. We shouldn't assume they are correct just because it is printed in a news article.





Marv
In our area, we have had several springs that have been hard on bees. Unusually warm spring weather that bought the trees into blossom, the bees out then a sharp frost. After the frost bees were very scarce.


Yet late in August our lawns, populated with birds foot trefoil were almost back to normal. I do not mean they had recovered completely. What I got to thinking is that for many km around here there are no longer any fields being grown for the sole purpose of providing a continuous food supply for bees. And perhaps that fact is forcing bees to forage in places they have not previously.





I know that back when I was a child we had 4H beekeeping projects with lots of kids making a point to plant varieties of plants that would feed their bees. Well, that was 60 years ago, and there has not been a 4H beekeeping club around for 30 years.





As I recall, back then everyone did any insecticide spraying based on a bee calendar. If they are still doing that, but the bees are out earlier, or later, what happens?