more complex than previously thought. There is more and more evidence that honey bees not be exposed to any chemicals, some- thing beekeepers must keep in mind when contemplating treatment protocols.


It is known that substances called cytochrome P450s in animals, including humans, detoxify many harmful substances in nature, including pesticides. It is possible that too much exposure can ren- der them useless. Take this statement from a newsletter published by the University of Florida (IFAS) pesticide information office: http://pested.ifas.ufl.edu/newsletters/2011-09/honeybees.html


“Three cytochrome P450s in midgut of the honey bee were shown


to metabolize tau-fluvalinate (active ingredient in Apistan) and the structurally different organophosphate pesticide, coumaphos (active ingredient in CheckMite+). These two acaricides are com- monly applied for mite management in bee hives. Results from the study suggest these honey bee cytochrome P450s are not special- ized and that a nontoxic dose of tau-fluvalinate may become toxic if the enzyme that is principally involved in detoxification is occu- pied by a different chemical.” The conclusion is inescapable: Too many chemicals in a honey bee environment are potentially bad news.


Unfortunately, there is a new class of pesticides being employed


in the modernagricultural environment known as neonicotinoids that are also implicated in honey bee deaths. This is complex and controversial, but deserves watching. Possible toxicity can result from several sources, including polluted ground water, seed treat- ments, dust from agricultural applications and others. A movie and a book have also been released, which purport to tell the story. No doubt there will be more information released on this as time goes on. Meanwhile in some countries, especially in Europe, neonicoti- noids have been banned from commercial agricultural applications http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonicotinoid.


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