Definitions:
Varroa destructor - a parasite abundant in most countries that attacks honeybees.
beekeeping - the cultivation of bees for the production of honey
Summary:
Germany has about one million bee hives. During the winter, about one fifth of the hives did not survive. This was caused mainly by the Varroa destructor. "The Varroa mite, one of several pests plaguing bees, attaches itself to the insects and their larvae and feeds on their lymph fluid, passing on diseases such as deformed wing virus and rendering them more vulnerable to disease." Because many beekeepers' hives died, many people started stealing bee hives. "Reported thefts of beehives almost doubled, to 306 in 2008 from 164 in 2007, and the figure was unchanged in 2009, according to Germany’s leading insurer of beekeepers, Gaede & Glauerdt." The thefts are most likely being committed by normal people, not beekeepers. The people who are stealing the hives do not take proper care of the bees.
Discussion:
I think this issue is very important, because bees are are the third-most important livestock in Germany. Without bees, beekeepers do not make money, and there is less honey for the people to eat. If bees keep dying out, the price of honey will rise and there will not be much left. I chose this article because it sounded interesting. This article relates to my life because I like to eat honey. Without honey, lots of things taste bitter.
Questions:
1. I would like to know more about how a bee produces honey
2. I would also like to know about the different kinds of bees and what their jobs are in the hives.
Resources:
“beekeeping definition.” Word Net Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2010.
Crossland, David. “Germany abuzz over theft of hives.” The National. N.p., 4 July 2010. Web. 24 Sept. 2010.
“Varroa destructor (arachnid).” Global Invasive Species Database. N.p., 20 June 2006. Web. 24 Sept. 2010.
2 comments:
I think it was a well-written topic and summary. I felt that I clearly understood the problem the Varroa destructor was creating with the bee-keepers in Germany. In addition to that in the Definitions you should include "lymph fluid" because that is a term not everyone knows. Your questions are also interesting and I'd like to know more about them too.
I have a few additional questions I would like to add:
How does the Varroa destructor larvae go about feeding on the lymph fluid? How much has honey production decreased?
How much has the price of honey gone up?
hey jackie,
Nice job. Wow, I had no idea that bees were dying out. I like how you explained what the Varroa mite does to affect the bees. Also, your discussion did a good job at showing your point of view. Oh but your picture is just a link, no picture. Overall, your post was detailed and very nice. :)
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