Jim Fischer wrote:  
     “So, one can eliminate pesticides, mites, and nutrition as
anything more than minor side issues, as they would not be 
affected at all by the irradiation of combs, and we can
assume these factors to be consistent across the irradiated
and non-irradiated hives within any one operation.”

### Except that you might want to consider the possibility that the 
bacterial or viral or fungal pathogen is transmitted by a parasite such as 
Varroa or tracheal mites, which would make controlling mites the key to 
controlling CCD.

Bill Truesdell writes:  
“Nosema is a fungus which forms spores that can survive for long periods. 
No QED here, but Nosema seems to be in the forefront.
Again, it may not be that it is the cause, but coupled with any other 
stress factor, could easily cause colony collapse.”

### It’s my understanding that some funguses produce toxins that can kill.  
I am wondering if something like that could be happening in this CCD 
scenario.  If a fungus were producing a toxic byproduct it might help 
explain the delay in moth and beetle infestation as well as the delay in 
ant and bee robbing that has been observed.  I’m sure this has been 
carefully considered.  Jerry?

Steve Noble   

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