randy oliver wrote:
> No sense arguing anymore about whether colony collapses are real.  The 
> industry is having a hard time, and many beekeepers are indeed 
> experiencing collapses.  Could be CCD, but not critical what 
> percentage due to that cause.  Mites, N ceranae, and poor nutrition 
> due to weather are likely the cause of many--these are real, 
> identifiable problems, not mysteries. 
The most accurate synopsis of just what is going on. But it also carries 
the problem that CCD causes the industry.

CCD is a symptom looking for a cause. There are some who say that the 
symptoms are unique, but they are not. The symptoms have been seen with 
mites, nutrition and combinations of factors by those who see thousands 
of colonies from many different organizations yearly. They have been 
seen for years.

CCD is looking for a singularity (IAPV) or something combined with it 
(pesticides). While Randy has spoken what the real problem is and that 
is the industry is in trouble. But that is not the focal point of 
research. Instead, we have zeroed in on an ephemeral. The house is 
burning to the ground while we looking to see if there is a doghouse we 
can save.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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