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0 pointstptacek9y ago0 comments

The introduction of neonicotinoids corresponds with an increase in the number of active hives, to record numbers in some areas (like Canada).

The number of honeybee colonies in the US (where honeybees are livestock, not an indigenous species) is up since the announcement of CCD in 2006. Colonies are down since around 1990, when wild honeybees were wiped out by the varroa mite --- which mites remain the biggest stressor of honeybee colonies in the US.

0 comments

unclebucknasty9y ago

Are you saying that neonicotinoids are causing an increase in active hive numbers?

I'm guessing that's not your assertion. But, of course, the argument you appear to be making is just as invalid.

levbrie9y ago

I believe the assertion is that in order to maintain the bee population at the level necessary to meet demands on agriculture given the extraordinary rise in the death rate of both individual bees and entire colonies, the beekeeping industry has had to import far more colonies per year.

tptacekOP9y ago

That doesn't make sense. Again: active colonies, not the number imported. Literally: there are more live bees in the US post-neonicotinoid.

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tptacekOP9y ago

No, I'm suggesting there may be no causal link at all.

unclebucknasty9y ago

But your argument essentially posits that there is a link in the other direction.

That is, since bee populations are on the rise, neonics are not harmful to them.

You could just as easily draw the conclusion that neonics are helping bees.

Neither conclusion is valid.

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0 pointstptacek9y ago0 comments

The introduction of neonicotinoids corresponds with an increase in the number of active hives, to record numbers in some areas (like Canada).

0 comments

unclebucknasty9y ago

Are you saying that neonicotinoids are causing an increase in active hive numbers?

I'm guessing that's not your assertion. But, of course, the argument you appear to be making is just as invalid.

levbrie9y ago

tptacekOP9y ago

That doesn't make sense. Again: active colonies, not the number imported. Literally: there are more live bees in the US post-neonicotinoid.

2 more replies

tptacekOP9y ago

No, I'm suggesting there may be no causal link at all.

unclebucknasty9y ago

But your argument essentially posits that there is a link in the other direction.

That is, since bee populations are on the rise, neonics are not harmful to them.

You could just as easily draw the conclusion that neonics are helping bees.

Neither conclusion is valid.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse