The Silent Hive?
A parasite is killing our bees:"Bee Killer Imperils Crops" in the Palm Beach Post:
"A tiny parasite, colloquially known as a 'vampire mite,' is devastating honeybees. That worries experts because honeybee-pollinated crops are valued at more than $15 billion a year."
So, at first, I simply mutter. They're just bees. Then I read this:
"Under attack from a Southeast Asian parasite, vast numbers of the creatures are dying off, worried industry experts say. More than 50 percent of the bees in California, critical to the success of the Golden State's almond crop, have died during the past six months. Frantic growers there have sent out the call around the world, including Florida, for hives."
50% of California bees, gone in six months. That is scary.
Any thoughts, Nate?
Crossposted at The Pacific Slope.
posted by Tyler @ 12:00 PM
1 comments
1 Comments:
Interesting. Whenever I have thought about famine, I pictured no rain and crops drying up. This adds an entirely new perspective on things. A famine of certain products because of a mite.
I think that the biggest impact this will have on the average Joe is higher grocery prices...supply and demand, right.
But let's look at the bigger picture. I think we are overconfident in our technology. How many of us think that some natural emergency, like a real Biblical type famine, could ever really hit the US? Time for a Book of Mormon comparison: the people of Ammonihah considered their city too great for the Lord to destroy. But what happens? Swept off the face of the earth in one day!
Are we so arrogant that we persist in thinking all is well? Maybe Sept 11 taught us nothing. Maybe the Tsunami taught us nothing. I think too many people take our current security for granted.
Personally, I think it is time for all of us to put our houses in order.
I think this honeybee scare is only the beginning. Chemical resistant mites may be only a harbinger of much scarier things that could potentially become resistant to chemicals as well.
But if ye are prepared ye shall not fear. Smile. God loves you :)
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