On Sun, 9 Mar 2008 11:30:58 -0500, Bob Harrison <[log in to unmask]> 
wrote:

Never before heard of hypothesis which we have been pondering in our 
circles:
>
>    The bees have got a problem transferring the honey ( using terms 
beeks will understand but the problem is complicated in researcher terms)  
from the honey stomach to the flight muscles.  

Hi Bob,

I appreciate you throwing out various theories on the cause of bee losses. 
The great thing about the internet is that it allows many people to 
compare observations and ideas. But it only works to our advantage if 
people think out loud as you do.

A few weeks ago I believe you suggested that diesel exhaust might be 
affecting bees when truckloads park overnight at truck stops. I was hoping 
that would lead to some discussion about diesel additives and what effect 
they have had on diesel exhaust - but no such luck.

Since sulfur was removed from diesel fuel, everyone and his brother has 
learned to include an additive to every tankfull to replace the missing 
lubricant (sulfur) in diesel fuel. Any reputable diesel mechanic will 
recommend this. However there is no easy way to estimate the amount of 
additive you should put in, so all the truckers I know use the " a couple 
of glugs" method. Or maybe your wife filled up the truck last time and 
you`re not sure she remembered to put in the additive so you, 'glug, glug, 
glug, glug', (maybe one more) 'glug, glug' (oops, that was two). 

I have owned two diesel pickups and written General Motors suggesting they 
install a system to automatically add the correct amount of additive. But 
they are in a state of denial and say additive is not needed in their 
engines. In fact they say using it will void their warrenty. But GM 
mechanics say that if you don`t use additive you will ruin the engine`s 
injector pump. 

So I just throw this out as a variable that has changed in the past ten to 
fifteen years. People who drive diesel trucks are adding unrecorded, 
unmeasured, unnecessary yet indespensable amounts of diesel additives to 
every tank. Maybe it helps the environment. But if so, why do vehicle 
manufacturers recommend against it?

Who knows, maybe bees just need an additive to help transfer honey to 
their flight muscles ( what, they`re still dying, give them another glug).

Ted    

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