Dave said:

> But large scale migratories are not the only bee movement.

Well, I do know of a very tiny number of specific examples
of some (to my knowledge, unique) exceptions:

a) TN, where smaller beekeeper(s) were clearly responsible
   for "introducing" SHB.

b) Here in Virginia, we had one case were SHB showed up in
   a package shipment.

c) Canada had a single infestation as a result of a shipment
   of beeswax from the USA.

But these are highly entertaining exceptional cases, and
cannot explain the bulk of infestations.

> Bees are going to move around; there isn't much way to stop
> this kind of activity, unless there is a guarded border, and
> even those tend to leak.

Then explain the situation in the Canadian provinces I mentioned
versus the situation in the USA.

While you are at it, explain the maps you can see here:
http://www.ceris.purdue.edu/napis/pests/shb/imap/usaall.html

Pay special attention to the Georgia map, which will appear
when you click on Georgia in the national map.  (This is a very
nice map, in that each infested state is broken down to the county
level.  Too bad we don't have this sort of thing for all bee pests
and diseases, kept updated weekly or monthly...)

Please explain the proximate cause of the "spotty" pattern
of SHB infestations in the USA WITHOUT long-distance movement
of live bees through either:

a)  Migratory movement
b)  Package shipments

To go further, explain why, in the specific case of Georgia,
there is not a much wider spread of SHB within the state,
given the large number of smaller beekeepers who will move
hives from "home" to go after Gallberry near the coast, then
to Sourwood in the mountains, and then "back home".

It should be clear that small-scale "migratory" beekeepers
are not going to move their bees as far as the larger migratory
guys, so we cannot lay the "long distance movement" problem at
the feet of the nameless "small operator".  The Georgia maps
tend to support a conclusion that short-distance movement of
bees by smaller operators has NOT resulted in SHB spread.

> Some pests, like the afrobeetles, move around pretty freely
> without bees to ride on.

This has been claimed, but the facts show this to be either
untrue, or so rare as to be an insignificant mechanism for
the spread of SHB.  Look at the maps.  Read 'em and weep.

> They can fly for many miles,

For the statement above to hold any water, one would have to
see a much less "spotty" pattern in the maps cited above.
Clearly the spread has NOT been "a steady geographic spread",
which would be the case if SHB (or swarms) were "flying" as
the mechanism for their spread.  Look at this AHB map, which
shows a clear example of a "geographic spread" via swarms.
http://ceris.purdue.edu/napis/pests/ahb/imap/ahb2000.html
Compare, contrast, comment.  Again, read 'em and weep.

> or ride truckloads of fruit.

For the statement above to hold any water there would have to be
SHB outbreaks near loading docks, grocery warehouses, farmers markets,
and so on.  Since we have yet to see such outbreaks, nor has anyone
traced even a single SHB beehive infestation to any of these sorts of
places, it would appear that the "fruit truck scenario" is not a
viable way for the pest to spread.

a) Fresh fruits and veggies go everywhere.
   Bees only go some places

b) There are likely thousands of shipments of fruits and
   veggies for every one shipment of bees.

c) Logic dictates that hives kept near places where trucks
   are unloaded would be the first infected in any one area.
   This has not been the case.

Since SHB is not "everywhere", and has not spread in any pattern
that might lend even a shred of evidence to support either the
"fruit truck scenario", or the "natural spread scenario", we are
left with mapping that defies explanation without admitting that
the proximate cause is the deliberate movement of live bees over
very long distances.

We are left with "bee trucks" (big boys) "bee SUVs" (small-timers),
and package shipments.  The evidence speaks for itself as to
the extent of the problems caused by each type of movement.

> I just feel that it's unfair to repeatedly make migratories
> the whipping boys. Yes, they probably do spread some pests,
> but I doubt that this is any more than done by hobby beekeepers
> as in the the examples above.

The use of the term "whipping boy" evinces an opinion that such
conclusions are "unfair", or not based upon fact.

While I don't advocate "whipping", as it does nothing about the
problem, it does appears that SHB is an excellent test-case to
prove the issue beyond all doubt, and support the need for more
scrutiny of migratory hives, or a indemnification fund.  I don't
see a big difference between a "pesticide kill" and an "SHB kill".
Both are caused by "someone else" who profits while the "victim"
suffers, and both are caused by a lack of professionalism and due care.

I await an explanation of the facts at hand that does not
involve one of the three types of long-distance movement of
live bees that appear to be the only possible causative agents
of the spread of SHB.

Can anyone think of any OTHER possible mechanisms that would
be consistent with the evidence at hand?


                jim (Who plays the cards he is dealt)

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