Wednesday, 4 February 2009

CATCH THE BUZZ Pesticides in Pollen

CATCH THE BUZZ

Ag pesticides not uncommon in trapped pollen

Researchers in Connecticut, during the 2007 growing season monitored pesticides  found in pollen collected in pollen traps. Colonies studied were under normal conditions and were not collapsing or in any other way ill. No colonies died during the experiment.

 The researchers collected the pollen twice a week from four locations in Connecticut during the season. Samples were analyzed using HPLC/MS.

Find out what’s new at Mann Lake www.mannlakeltd.com/catchthebuzz/index.html
Results: 102 samples were collected and analyzed. 37 pesticides were detected. 15 insecticide/acaracides, 11 fungicides, 10 herbicides and 1 plant growth regulator. All samples had at least one pesticide detected. The most commonly detected pesticide was coumaphos. Carbaryl and phosmet, both highly toxic to bees were the most commonly detected field pesticides. Imidacloprid was detected 30 times, mostly at low levels. The pesticides found at the highest levels wer both fungicides: myclobutanil and boscalid.
This message brought to you by Bee Culture, The Magazine Of American Beekeeping www.BeeCulture.com

 

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Central Beekeepers Alliance

Central Beekeepers Alliance

Help the Honey Bees, Eat Ice Cream, Send Bee-Mail

Posted: 03 Feb 2009 04:27 PM PST

As beekeepers may have noticed, ice cream company Häagen-Dazs has set its marketing might firmly on the side of honeybees, in the face of colony collapse disorder and declining bee populations. And it makes sense — more than 40 percent of Häagen-Dazs all-natural ice cream flavours include ingredients that are dependent on honey bees for pollination.

haagen-dazs bee-mailPart of the Häagen-Dazs loves Honey Bees™ campaign is an engaging website that’s sure to brighten a winter day.

Visitors to the website click on an old-fashioned skep-style beehive to reveal the website’s menu of educational and entertaining options —

  • fly through the fields with a pollinating honey bee,
  • make a cartoon bee< and send her by email to another honey bee fan,
  • download a lesson plan about the bee crisis and how you can help,
  • shop for “Feel the Love Buzz” and “Long Live the Queen” T-shirts to support honeybee research
  • and more.

Go to HelpTheHoneyBees.com to learn more and explore.

[Thanks to CBA member Jessica Breau for the link!]

Post from: Central Beekeepers Alliance
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