Bob Harrison wrote:
> consider:
> If a new pathogen was killing the bees then why are the bees not dead in
> the hive like a normal large pathogen kill?

Nosema apis infects the gut and and in a mild infection reduces the 
bee's ability to absorb food, leading to poor protein uptake and 
hence raw crude protein levels in the bee - in turn directly linked 
to longevity.   So they only survive 3-4 weeks instead of 6.  Just 
long enough to finish house duties and become a forager - and die in 
the field never to be seen as most workers ultimately do.

It could be Nosema ceranae has a similar action - or another organism 
that affects the bee's longevity.

Regards,
Peter Bray_________________________________________________________
Airborne Honey Ltd., Pennington St, PO Box 28, Leeston, 
New Zealand Fax 64-3-324-3236,  Phone 64-3-324-3569  
http://www.airborne.co.nz  [log in to unmask]

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