Asian parasite killing Western bees-scientist (Reuters)

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

INTERVIEW-Asian parasite killing Western bees-scientist
Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:51AM EDT

By Julia Hayley

MADRID, July 18 (Reuters) - A parasite common in Asian bees
has spread to Europe and the Americas and is behind the mass
disappearance of honeybees in many countries, says a Spanish
scientist who has been studying the phenomenon for years.

The culprit is a microscopic parasite called nosema ceranae
said Mariano Higes, who leads a team of researchers at a
government-funded apiculture centre in Guadalajara, the
province east of Madrid that is the heartland of Spain's honey
industry.

He and his colleagues have analysed thousands of samples from
stricken hives in many countries.

-snip-

Then he decided to sequence the parasite's DNA and discovered
it was an Asian variant, nosema ceranae. Asian honeybees are
less vulnerable to it, but it can kill European bees in a matter of
days in laboratory conditions.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL18264591

[opihimoimoi]

1. I guess we start bringing in those Asian bees to replace ours

[dipsydoodle]

2. Last time this was mentioned

a pesticide was blamed : http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_5375.cfm

Doubtless the parasite they're blaming will turn out to be part of Al Queda.

[dave_p]

3. So who's trying to kill us all?

Is it Muslims or "Asians"? I get so confused with this fast-moving landscape of the rest of the planet hellbent on destroying America. I guess those Asian parasites just hate American bees for their freedom.

[kestrel91316]

4. Is this ANOTHER Chinese import wreaking havoc???