Researchers for Colony Collapse Disorder,?

Question

don't you think that simple common sense indicates that the timing for CCD might offer a direct correlation to chemical spraying for West Nile? If you look at the high CCD occurence areas and the levels of chemical spraying in those areas, it seems to a casual observer, there is a preponderence of evidence linking the two. (i.e. northwest, Texas) From what I have researched, there is no investigation into this possibility. WHY?

Answer 1

I'm not sure if "West Nile" spraying is done routinely with imidacloprid or not, but that particular pesticide has been implicated in CCD.  

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/ma...

Note that CCD also began to be most noticeable after imidacloprid was approved for retail sale, not necessarily after spraying for West Nile virus.  In other words, it is possible that Joe Q. Public's spraying the stuff continually over countless lawns and gardens across the country had more of an effect than relatively confined, point application of the insecticide to specific marshes for mosquito abatement.  

At this point nothing is being ruled out in CCD, and the link above (updated earlier this month) is a fairly decent synopsis of the state of knowledge.  But untangling the effects of the mites from chemical toxins is difficult and I also suspect there is tremendous pressure from the chemical industry not to target insecticides as part of the problem.  Still, scientists are studying a possible connection.  

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Resear...

I know this isn't a very satisfying answer, there is none.  For what it's worth, I was out in the yard on a nice warm day and the heather was in bloom.  Normally it would be swarming with the spring bees, but there were none.  I was shocked but I also notice that most of my neighbors yards have little green signs out front proudly proclaiming "Treated by Chemlawn" next to the storm drains stenciled "Drains to Salmon Bearing Stream."  As Walt Kelly said, we have met the enemy, and he is us.