Pollinating Insects
Jul 2, 2017 12:43:01 #
Old Timer
Loc: Greenfield, In.
Has others noticed the small population of insects, especially pollinating insects. Maybe my locations, but I seem to have less every year. The bees and the other pollen gathers seem to be almost non existence. It seems that may be connected to the control and spraying for, mosquito scare and the disease they spread. We seem to want a perfect sterile environment with no inconveniences. I am afraid that we may have more negative than positive impact in future.
The honey bees have effected the most it seems.
The honey bees have effected the most it seems.
Jul 2, 2017 14:48:44 #
Bees and butterflies are insects.
Insecticides kill insects.
When insecticides are used on a lawn, or garden, or farm to kill pests they also kill beneficial insects like pollinators.
Bee colonies have been collapsing for a couple of decades. Butterfly populations have been getting smaller as well.
Loss of habitat also contributes to the reduction of pollinators.
Insecticides kill insects.
When insecticides are used on a lawn, or garden, or farm to kill pests they also kill beneficial insects like pollinators.
Bee colonies have been collapsing for a couple of decades. Butterfly populations have been getting smaller as well.
Loss of habitat also contributes to the reduction of pollinators.
Jul 2, 2017 16:22:34 #
This is a world wide problem....too many pesticides. If they continue to ignore this problem then our food will run out...Plants need pollinators to produce. Intensive farming attempting to produce 'perfect food' for supermarkets do not help the situation either.
Every Country has a protest group trying to get Government action...please add your support
Every Country has a protest group trying to get Government action...please add your support
Jul 2, 2017 19:54:55 #
Old Timer
Loc: Greenfield, In.
As a former bee keeper I am aware of the problem. Each year when I look for insects for micro it gets harder to find them. I did see a monarch butterfly this evening the first this year. Last year I did not have many in flower garden, and I plant flowers to attract them.
We want a sterile insect free environment, no mosquitoes or ticks instead of using common sense it seems. Long pants will protect from ticks and repellents for mosquitoes.
We want a sterile insect free environment, no mosquitoes or ticks instead of using common sense it seems. Long pants will protect from ticks and repellents for mosquitoes.
Jul 3, 2017 05:45:15 #
Bees are dying world wide ad they claim they know bot why. A friend of mine had a bees nest out in a tree in front of his house last summer and every morning he'd come out and on the front porch and have hundreds of dead bees and he was doing nothing to cause this. Now when it comes to other insects like mosquitoes and flies and such there is no shortage of them around here. If you feel you need some, let me know and I can bag them up and send them to you.
Jul 3, 2017 06:36:51 #
I am sure many of us older folks can recall walking though fields filled with butterflies, or in the evening filled with lightning bugs. Our continuing use of pesticides has decimated the populations of all insects. And we are getting more "clever" with our insecticides, including the use of systemic pesticides that do not get sprayed on plants but are incorporated into the plant tissue from roots up. Even the pollen is not toxic. Not only tragic from an environmental stand point, but as mentioned, we need pollinators.
Jul 3, 2017 07:33:16 #
the only pollinator I have in my garden are Carpenter Bees (they look like bumblebees). Last year someone on here was bragging about wiping a bunch of them out. I have seen ONE just ONE honeybee and that's it. another problem is that in my neighborhood flowers seem to be against the rules. It's green or nothing.
Jul 3, 2017 07:45:36 #
In southern AZ, we seem to have lots of butterflies and bees including Africanized versions that could be deadly. I don't believe there is much insecticide spraying since our "lawns" tend to be gravel and desert plants. Of course, lots of golf courses but I don't think they are sprayed for insects.
Jul 3, 2017 07:51:40 #
Jul 3, 2017 07:57:29 #
Old Timer wrote:
Has others noticed the small population of insects... (show quote)
Yes, that is becoming a problem. I read an article about attempts to make tiny robotic pollinators.
Jul 3, 2017 07:59:04 #
jamer wrote:
Monsanto is a word that comes to mind.
Definitely. They're trying to patent every seed that ever existed.
http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2008/05/monsanto200805
Jul 3, 2017 08:29:14 #
Two things stand out....
1)"There have been many theories about the cause of CCD, but the researchers who are leading the effort to find out why are now focused on these factors: Increased losses due to the invasive varroa mite (a pest of honey bees). New or emerging diseases such as Israeli Acute Paralysis virus and the gut parasite Nosema."
2)with monarchs the biggest issue appears to be a combination of destruction of wintering habitat AND the destruction of caterpillar food sources----- i.e. using roundup for non-specific, mass coverage on farms that also kills the single food source for monarchs......milkweed.
1)"There have been many theories about the cause of CCD, but the researchers who are leading the effort to find out why are now focused on these factors: Increased losses due to the invasive varroa mite (a pest of honey bees). New or emerging diseases such as Israeli Acute Paralysis virus and the gut parasite Nosema."
2)with monarchs the biggest issue appears to be a combination of destruction of wintering habitat AND the destruction of caterpillar food sources----- i.e. using roundup for non-specific, mass coverage on farms that also kills the single food source for monarchs......milkweed.
Jul 3, 2017 08:51:46 #
sb wrote:
I am sure many of us older folks can recall walkin... (show quote)
I remember that. I can't recall the last time I saw a lighting bug.
Jul 3, 2017 08:52:17 #
jamer wrote:
Monsanto is a word that comes to mind.
Jul 3, 2017 08:53:50 #
buckbrush
Loc: Texas then Southwest Oregon
with monarchs the biggest issue appears to be a combination of destruction of wintering habitat AND the destruction of caterpillar food sources----- i.e. using roundup for non-specific, mass coverage on farms that also kills the single food source for monarchs......milkweed.
Over the last couple of years many communities around here have lamented the loss of Monarch butterflies and discussed a solution. That solution was to ask people to plant milkweed around their property. Fortunately, there is a lot of open land here and even my poor eyes can see milkweed plants almost everywhere I look. Many of the local communities here in So. Oregon have stepped up milkweed planting. Now you see it almost everywhere and the word is, leave milkweed alone for the Monarchs.
Over the last couple of years many communities around here have lamented the loss of Monarch butterflies and discussed a solution. That solution was to ask people to plant milkweed around their property. Fortunately, there is a lot of open land here and even my poor eyes can see milkweed plants almost everywhere I look. Many of the local communities here in So. Oregon have stepped up milkweed planting. Now you see it almost everywhere and the word is, leave milkweed alone for the Monarchs.
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