Notice to the keepers whose bees have disappeared
I have them.
Well, I don’t have them personally, but I know where they are. And yes, I’m sorry to say, they’re deceased.
A few days ago, as I was waiting for my dog to lay claim to several bushes in a row, I noticed a single dead honeybee lying on the ground. I found this odd, as you don’t normally see bees out cold on the pavement and I hadn’t seen any live bees around, but I didn’t think much of it.
The next night I came to the same spot and again saw a dead honeybee. I was surprised it hadn’t been squashed or blown off the path. But then I saw another. And another. And then others and others. There must’ve been a hundred dead bees along that ten-foot stretch of sidewalk; who knows how many lay hidden in the grass.
Then yesterday, out of the blue, I read this article describing your confusion, beekeepers, and was amazed at the coincidence. These lost little bees, I figure, must be yours.
I hope you solve the mystery of colony collapse disorder soon. In case you don’t, I’m beginning to build up my reserves of those little honey packets—Chick-Fil-A always gives you two, but who could ever use up two whole packets of honey in one meal? I usually throw the extra packet away or lose it somewhere between the seats of my car, but now I take care to stash it in the console. The prospect of a dry Chick’n Biscuit frightens me.
I see that you’ve declared National Pollinator Week in June—will you be making awareness ribbons* for the event? This sometime-slacktivist would totally wear one. The obvious color scheme would be yellow and black stripes, yes? I don’t see that conflicting with any other special interests, except possibly the Union of Concerned Schoolbus Drivers.
Best of luck, scientist-detectives. I’m here if you need a witness to interview.
———
* I found out a couple days ago that there’s a Light Pollution Awareness ribbon (black with white polka dots), and that this past week was Light Pollution Awareness Week National Dark Sky Week. Who knew? Install downward-directed light fixtures, everyone!
April 24th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
I’ve read that some scientists hold the pulse frequencies of cell phones (281Hz, not the primary frequency of 1 or 2 GHz) responsible for the vanishing of bees (amongst other bee killers such as fungal infections). The 281Hz coincide with the vibrations that bees produce when they communicate by dancing (ca 300Hz). If it’s true, it’s a bummer!
Over at badastronomy.com I’ve read about the Light Pollution Awareness Week, too. Considering that some people in L.A. during a recent power blackout called the local observatory saying things like “somethings’s wrong with the sky” because they were seeing stars for the first time”, that kind of a day is needed every week. I hope you see stars where you live.
May 5th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Update: Just listened to this weekend’s skepticast from the New England Skeptics Society’s “theskepricsguide.org” where Bug Girl, an entymologist and skepchick, talks about CCD (colony collapse disorder) and about really strange sexual behavior of some insects.