Have you noticed the marked decline in butterfly's?

I have a tree in my garden that attracts butterfly's and bees, well it used to. So far this year I personally have only seen four butterfly's and a handful of bees. Both insects are an integral part of the human food chain yet our obsession with technology and mobile phones is wiping out our insect wildlife and ultimately our food supplies.|||Not sure whether mobile 'phones are directly responsible, I have seen no research to suggest this may be the case, but there is a wealth of information on the possible reasons for declining fritillaries and honeybee colonies.





On Bee Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) - from Apis UK (Beekeepers Newsletter) July '08:





"In fall 2007, a team led by Diana Cox-Foster, professor of entomology, reported a strong correlation between CCD and the presence of Israeli acute paralysis virus, making the pathogen a prime suspect in the disease. Since that time, researchers have introduced IAPV to healthy honey bee colonies in a controlled greenhouse environment in an effort to induce a collapse. Within one week of introducing the virus, they observed dramatic bee mortality, with bees dying outside the colonies across the room in the greenhouse. Bees were found on the floor with paralytic-type movements, and guard bees were observed removing paralytic bees from colonies and flying across the room. The majority of these ‘twitcher’ bees were found to have IAPV. Within a month, infected colonies had declined to small clusters of bees, many of which had lost their queens. These data indicate that IAPV is a highly pathogenic virus. But they do not yet support a finding of IAPV as the sole cause of Colony Collapse Disorder. Researchers still suspect that additional stresses are needed to trigger CCD. Among the potential triggers being investigated are environmental chemicals. Penn State scientists analyzing pollen, wax, adult bees and brood (larvae) have found the presence of dozens of chemicals, including pesticides used by agricultural producers to protect crops and by beekeepers to control hive pests such as parasitic mites.





“This raises several complicated questions,” said Maryann Frazier, senior extension associate in entomology. “Some of these compounds could react with each other to cause toxic effects or could combine with viruses or poor nutrition to weaken immunity and cause colony collapse. We also need to do more research to understand these chemicals’ sub-lethal effects on bees.” Though the role of chemicals in Colony Collapse Disorder is still unknown, Frazier noted that beekeepers need more options for controlling varroa mites so they can reduce their reliance on chemicals. “With the sheer number of compounds we’re finding in hives, it’s hard to believe that pesticides aren’t contributing to the general decline in bee health,” she said.





Article adapted from materials provided by Penn State USA."





On Butterflies:


by Jessica Aldred and agencies - guardian.co.uk, Thursday 13 March 2008 11.54 GMT





"Farrell said: 'Butterflies are like the canaries in the coal mine. When their environment is under stress, they are the first to suffer and disappear.





During the 20th century, five of Britain's butterfly species and 60 moth species became extinct.





Drastic butterfly losses are continually being reported as we destroy their natural habitats at a frightening pace."








So, if you want to help butterflies and bees, plant native species of wild flowers.





If you are in the UK, take a look at:


Butterfly Habitat Boxes


Hand made Butterfly Habitat, we also stock beneficial bug boxes.


www.EthicalSuperstore.com|||I am glad you said "our obsession..."


and ask "Have you planted a buddlea and put out bee feeders this years?" They are easy and cheap to make.


I can see I need to advise you on making a bee and butterfly feeder. Using some bailing string, tie up a jam jar upsidedown. Undo the lid and make a small hole in it and in that place some sponge. Now make the hole on the outside look like a flower and place some sugary water into the jam jar... If you get the gist.