hi all,

i was reading jery hayes's classroom column to my wife (my wife as of yesterday), and she had an interesting idea that i have not heard discussed.

jerry was describing how beebread is made (by fermenting the inside of the pollen grain via 20+ different yeasts and other microorganisms to break open the silica shell).

there has been discussion of poor nutrition as a possible contributing factor to CCD..but what about this?

is it possible that fluvalinate, coumaphos, antibiotics, or other treatment ("shop towel" or otherwise)...or a combination of these, is killing the microogranisms or otherwise affecting the action of these processes?  that the transformation of pollen into beebread is somehow inhibited?

with 20+ organisms involved in this process, and the numerous treatments being used, it seems a pretty good (albeit untested) theory to me...any thoughts?  jerry?  others????

deknow (and ramona)

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