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CCD is characterized by the mysterious and inexplicable loss of worker bees in managed honeybee colonies. There is often still honey in the hive, and a few immature bees, but the adult bees have vanished. It was first noticed as a problem in 2006/7, when US beekeepers began reporting losses of 30 to 90% of their hives. Now, similar losses are being reported in countries across Europe.
The cause of CCD is still unclear. Some are convinced it is connected to the Varroa bee mite, others suspect a single cell parasite, or a virus. Some even blame pesticides or cell phones. None of these suspected causes bear up to close scrutiny. One virus strongly associated with CCD is Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV), identified by Hebrew University plant virologist Professor Ilan Sela in 2004. It causes honeybees to suffer from shivering wings, followed by paralysis and death outside the hive.
At Beeologics, scientists are convinced that IAPV is the primary cause of CCD. “If you look how the disease spreads, it’s very reminiscent of flu. Flu also starts in the fall and hits hard in the winter, the same is true of this bee virus,” explains Paldi. “It’s very contagious like a flu. In our opinion, we have something that’s interacting very strongly with the environment to cause CCD.”
Beeologics’ solution, Remebee, utilizes a mechanism called RNA interference (RNAi, also known as gene silencing) a mechanism that inhibits or hinders gene expression. “The technology is based on naturally occurring biological agents. Conceptually, we’re introducing the factor that prompts the silencing response,” said Paldi. “We didn’t invent gene silencing. However, as far as we know, we are among the first to use it commercially on non-humans.”
According to the company, the patent-pending Remebee provides protection from IAPV and other bee viruses, is non-toxic, and leaves no residues in either honeybees or their honey.
For more information: www.beeologics.com
US: (1) 305-233-6564
Israel: (972) 52-393-3910
Excerpts from an article by Rachel Neiman,
www.israel21c.org
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