The Sacramento News and Review ran a story today about apiculturist Eric Mussen's recent presentation at UC Davis on colony collapse disorder of honey bees. Using an irreverent writing style, reporter Kel Munger outlined the role of bees in production of fruit, nuts and vegetables in California and delved into theories about CCD.
"Mussen, possessor of one of those dry, scientific senses of humor, offered up theories galore, varying from the divine (bees raptured to heaven) to the conspiratorial (jet 'chemtrails' or 'chemical contrails' supposedly intended to kill old people have accidentally killed bees). He debunked them both gleefully, then addressed more serious theories in depth," the article said.
Mussen commented on the fact that bees dying en masse is not new. Bee journals have reported on hive failures since 1869. Die-offs were documented in three consecutive years in the early 1960s, and in 1975.
According to the article, Mussen doesn't expect the current surge in CCD to be related to any one specific cause.
“We’ll learn from all the studies, and it will lead to more research,” Mussen is quoted. “My general suspicion is that it’s a variety of things, all working together.”
