Thursday June 7, 2007, 8:40 am
Happy, happy- joy-joy! Thanks so much! This is good to hear knowing that pollination is essential in all propagation. I hope that the caution that making species adapt artificially is heeded- we know that they will continue to try and figure out how to better the natural flow of life for it was created without our influence. We continue to "fix" things that are not broken- just not quite like we think they should be or how we feel they should serve us. Ah- the sweet wisdom of bees!

Thursday June 7, 2007, 8:58 am
fascinating overview. thanks for sharing.

Thursday June 7, 2007, 11:26 am
Thanks so much for this story; extremely well written and with good information. As to why??? That's the obvious to those of us who work so diligently to protect Mother Earth! It's simple: BECAUSE ORGANIC DOES NOT CONTAIN THE CONTAMINANTS AND CHEMICALS THAT COMMERICALS DO!!!

This truly is not rocket science. With PCBs, PBDEs, DIOXINS, FURANS, and more contaminating the marine mammals of the world, is it any wonder that small insects--so critical to our overall environment and food supply--should be more impacted and more quickly than marine mammals? No . . . however, that doesn't seem to have any impact on those who are in charge of things. Nor is it established by means of the solid science that demonstrates the damage all the chemicals put into the environment have done.

In my view, ANY estimate that things will be around in another 50 years is highly overrated when one considers the ENTIRE WHOLISTIC picture of our environment. I wonder, were all those $$$ worth the annihilation of life as we know it?

Thursday June 7, 2007, 12:32 pm
When I was working for a major pest control company, they had us spraying a fipronil based pesticide on the outsides of structures and in flower beds for control of ants. This is a chemical that is slow-acting and excites the nervous system of the insect, causing death. In May 2003, the DGAL (Direction Générale de l'Alimentation du ministère de l'Agriculture ) indicated a case of bee mortality observed in Southern France related to Fipronil acute toxicity. Intoxication was linked to defective seed treatment, which generated dust. The involved Syngenta seed treatment has been since forbidden. However, considering the ways that this chemical is applied (and sometimes misapplied) this is something that might ought to be looked into.

Friday June 8, 2007, 9:35 am
How about we live in harmony with nature instead of always trying to control it? Seems to work for every other species on Earth.

Friday June 8, 2007, 12:48 pm
Great story thanks!!

Friday June 8, 2007, 12:50 pm
Don't Panic! This is not a problem that can be solved overnight, but a good first step is to support the organic beekeepers in your area: buy their products and support them economically in their efforts to protect the earth and bees' health. Another good step is to support organizations like Heifer International, which will ship a honeybee hive to needy people in developing nations for only $30, a pittance compared to the long-term value and health benefits of a hive. In the meantime, please check out the following informative links:

http://www.organicconsumers.org
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles
http://www.bushfarms.org
http://www.heifer.org

Saturday June 9, 2007, 2:05 am
thank you for posting this

Saturday June 9, 2007, 12:07 pm
More proof that the organic lifestyle is the right one.

Saturday June 9, 2007, 4:44 pm
I don't understand this? Bees unless used by comercial producers (setting up hives for their own pollination purposes) have never been very important as a species for polluniation on our planet
other insects are and always have been responsible for a lot more pollination
yes I understand the grade school explanation about bees, but be realistic, this was only a school example explaining the usefulness of insects.
If it is your choice to defend and feel sympathy for a group od commercial businesses thats fine, but never for an instant believe this Bee issue is an actual world problem that will effect anyone other than the money people
how about this? the one insect that every one dispises has always been historically credited with doing more pollination than any insect alive.. yep the mosquito

Saturday June 9, 2007, 7:32 pm
Greetings Mathew, I am truly curious as to what evidence you have relative to the importance of pollination? Whilst I understand your position, I have yet--as a scientist--heard that a) mosquitoes do more pollinating than bees; of course, as you state, there are other species who spread seeds etc., however that's not the same as pollination. I would really be interested in where you're information is coming from given that I have not ever heard of such a thing. And I fail to understand how mosquitoes pollinate crops given that they feed off of blood. The only thing I am aware of that they transfer is disease!!!

I hope that you don't take this as a challenge to the knowledge that you have; it's just that it's contrary to everything that I have learned in my acadmeic pursuits. Most importantly, I have not ever come across information that states that mosquitoes are the ones who do ANY pollinating whatsoever. Appreciate your views, and would really be interested in the sources of your information in order to further expand on my knowledge! Cheers, Maureen

Sunday June 10, 2007, 7:38 am
thank you for this post!!!

Sunday June 10, 2007, 8:55 am
Hi Maureen, and no I never took your statement as a challenge, but I did not mention the spreading of seeds?
as far as pollination? Do you understand what it is? and that it is not exactly a planned event?
and then I must ask you if you have ever been in a garden? (no I am not trying to be ignorant) but I find it hard to believe anyone that has been in a garden has never seen the amount of insects visiting a flowering plant (including the swarms of mosquitos)

don't for a minute believe that because we can see bees and even butterflies, because of their size, that they are the only insects in your flowering plants

mosquitos land on plants, mosquitos are an ancient insect, but their habits of choice of habitat and swarming, are what make them pollinators ( I didn't think this information was even in question? it has never been dispued to my knowledge, that long before man walked this planet mosquitos were polinating plants (due to their habits)

the only thing I can suggest you try is planting a garden and covering it with a screen that would not allow any insect in that is as large as a bee,
you would then see that your garden will be pollinated anyway, and what insects are doing the pollination

I didn't realize that most people were not aware that bees are quite incidental in world polination, not irrelevant, just not very important in pollination itself ... other than in "commercial ventures!"
and all the information the public is recieving on this issue is from commercial ventures, not from a "natural enviorment"

Sunday June 10, 2007, 9:35 am
Looks like a down-side to me!
Mosquitoes are of major importance in both human and veterinary medicine. They can cause severe annoyance and blood loss when they occur in dense populations, and they act as vectors of three important groups of disease-causing organisms: Plasmodium, the protozoan parasite that produces malaria; filarial worms, parasitic nematodes causing elephantiasis in humans and heartworm disease in canines; and arboviruses, which are the causative agents of yellow fever, dengue fever, LaCrosse encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, western equine encephalomyelitis, eastern and Venezuelan equine encephalitis, and several other viral diseases. Human malaria is transmitted exclusively by Anopheles, filariasis by Culex, Anopheles, and Aedes, and arboviruses primarily by Culex and Aedes species. See also Arboviral encephalitides; Heartworms; Insecta; Malaria; Medical parasitology; Yellow fever.

Sunday June 10, 2007, 10:21 am
Hi Lee,
I guess that depends on whether or not you believe that humans as a species belong on this planet (LOL)
disease has always been introduced to different nations and societies by a number of different means
and .. some people lived and many more died.
if an individual believes in natural selection or even the theory of evolution, this is a very normal, natural procedure.
if an individual believes in creationism, then disease affecting only certain individuals would simply be Gods will.
(yes there are individuals that are immune to specific disease (or at least have a strong resistance to it)
(sorry that is a very simple explanation, not meant to offend anyone)

but, I never intended to discuss disease or the spreading of it
I was only stating that bees importance in pollination has been blown out of proportion by a simple grade school explantion to show children the importance of insects (and all life in an ecological system)

Bees used by commercial crop growers was considered an advancement, but only for commercial growers!
in nature, bees are simply another useful insect, and not the "kings" of pollination

but you have put forth a point in favor of my argument, the sheer quantity of mosquitos (good or bad) really does make them important to pollination (they do rest on plants when not busy doing other things (feeding)

Sunday June 10, 2007, 12:21 pm
Matthew-Of course people belong here- or else evolution dropped the ball. Of course all things work in a symbiotic relationship and how does creationism follow into disease being God's will. All the rest you said had a continuity-but the co-relationship between God's will and disease is
not scientifically proven-so it seems a bit out of place- considering you appear to be someone not given to spurious antidote instead of articulate argument- or do I read far too much into it? Me- I likes bees, not so much skeeters! Have a great Sunday!

Sunday June 10, 2007, 1:09 pm
Hi Lee,
yes you read a little more into it than I intended, but that was my fault, I really never explained those statements properly.
natural immunity seems to be a genetic predisposition?, with the recent research in DNA, We are finding this to be very true. my comment on "Gods Will" was a simple (I mean simple) effort to show that this predisposition is not (has not) been within our own control

again I am sorry to create any controvery on this subject, I am aware it probably does not apply to this discussion

I would like to see more insects used in commercial ventures for the benifit of humanity, besides bees in pollination, and maggots in gangrene treatments, maybe something for human waste disposal?

Sunday June 10, 2007, 1:10 pm
Hi Lee,
yes you read a little more into it than I intended, but that was my fault, I really never explained those statements properly.
natural immunity seems to be a genetic predisposition?, with the recent research in DNA, We are finding this to be very true. my comment on "Gods Will" was a simple (I mean simple) effort to show that this predisposition is not (has not) been within our own control

again I am sorry to create any controvery on this subject, I am aware it probably does not apply to this discussion

I would like to see more insects used in commercial ventures for the benifit of humanity, besides bees in pollination, and maggots in gangrene treatments, maybe something for human waste disposal?

Sunday June 10, 2007, 2:49 pm
Mathew-Agreed!

Tuesday June 12, 2007, 10:07 am
I am so glad to read this article! Thanks!

Jade

Tuesday June 12, 2007, 7:10 pm
Greetings Mathew,

You statement "don't for a minute believe that because we can see bees and even butterflies, because of their size, that they are the only insects in your flowering plants" reveals the heart of this opague disagreement (Ibid)! A major obstacle of environmental issues and/or disputes/conflicts! =D I did not ever state--nor did I infer that the article relegated bees to being the ONLY species responsibile for pollination; at the very least I recongize that the wind itself is responsible for the majority of pollination on Mother Earth, and that's not something left to a species, is is a power unto itself, in my view. Nor, as a responsible scientist would I ever make such a statement. However, as stated, that is what I understood the discourse to be about, not the ONLY species responsible for pollination, or the meaning of pollination, or the perceived deficits in my comment. *blush*

At any rate, I appreciate the added information. As to the garden, I have had many and they were the most beautiful, ALL NATURAL AND ORGANIC gardens would could want for. My daughter grew up walking through the garden munching her lunch, or after school snack. I utilised companion planting and flora pest controls. Thus, I understand completely the heart of the perceived disagreement between us and again appreciate your highlighting the deficits. =)

Cheers,

Maureen

Tuesday June 12, 2007, 7:18 pm
Greetings again Mathew,

With apologies for joining yours and Lee's discourse, I would need ask about the comments as regards one who believes in Creationsim being one who "chosen" so to speak, by God, to suffer from whatever the disease happens to be, is that correct? I guess I would wonder where the individuals who have stronger resistance to particular disease--especially that which is punative in nature--belong? And overall, I would again need disagree.

Within the natural sciences, regardless of what age they are taught, is folklore; there is religion; there is explanation to the greatest question we humans (Homo sapiens) ask: WHY ARE WE HERE? WHAT IS OUR PURPOSE? It's not an either/or question or point to me; it's about our existence which actually goes to your opening point about whether or not humans even belong on the planet due to our overwhelming destructive behaviours? *smile*

Cheers,

Maureen

Tuesday June 12, 2007, 7:31 pm
Greetings Lee,

And thank you! You helped put some clarity on things; I was really getting confused and certainly did not want to go that way! =) The article states that ". . . [t]he honeybee pollinates approximately one-third of our food products" (Ibid). While I can't speak for everyone else, 1/3 is a hefty amount of responsibility as regards the pollination issue to me! I appreciate your viewpoints on what mosquitoes contribute!!! LOL

And yes between both Lee and Mathew, I too would like to see natural predation as the use for controlling pests that are damaging to the crops that are raised; again, that's what I did. I even found a biological eco-friendly organocide to help control tomatoe worms, which can devastate a crop overnight!!! =P So thanks again for raising those points!

Cheers,

Maureen

Tuesday June 12, 2007, 7:39 pm
Greetings once more Lee,

As to the symbiotic relationship of life on Mother Earth? I TOTALLY CONCUR!!! A great way to state it and one that need be implemented in our educational system far more; then perhaps that eigth grade mentality that Mathew raises would decline and science and reason would again prevail alongside religious and/or belief systems without creating any type of conflict or misunderstanding. =) Thank you.

Cheers,

Maureen

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 6:35 am
hi everybody...first of all, greetings to all of you....i wanted to share little i know about the subject....i live on Tenerife,Canarias,and about year and a half ago,while visiting La Palma`(neighbouring island)i met a German apicultor,his name is Stephan Braun...i am practising bio-dynamic agriculture,organic farming,etc..since he was telling me he treats his family and his animals,and honey bees as well only with homeopatic remedies,i was interesting to see and find out more.....and once there,he talked as well about that spreading desease among colonies of honey bees,that was expected to get there soon as well,meaning La Palma.....and how he was preparing for it....i understood that the parasites(or what it was) was deadly only to domesticated cross bred honey bees for their bigg size and size of the holes they make...he was saying that the desease was originated in Indonesia,Java if i remember well,and it didn´t actualy cause any demage there,ever....for their local autoctonus bees are smaller in size...
so,his way of preparing for it was already in progres..... for the last 3 years,he was gradualy narrowing the size of holes in the bee house,saying that the bees are adopting their size to it,trying to get to the size of original honey bees of the area...aparently,if i remember well,the african honey bee is larger in size,and was crossed with autenthic bees of the regions to give more honey....
anyway i do agree that the use of chemicals and pesticides have their way of creating imbalance in any area of life,even though here it might not be the most important factor....
what suprises me is that Stephan knew about the coming desease for some years already,so others might have been warn at least as well...the probability is that mast of them in their ignorance didn´t pay enough attention,and now everybody is so suprised.....same goes with all other ecological issues on the planet,and lately reaching the space polution as well...tremendous lack of real care and lack of understending that everything is part of us,and we are part of it....
thanks for sharing
D.

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 8:20 am
The exposure of honey bees to pesticides is an ever-changing problem for beekeepers, because each year new pesticides, as well as new formulations of the established ones, appear in the marketplace. The release of just one new chemical or different formulation has, at times, been devasting to honey bees. When Sevin (carbaryl) first was applied in orchards in the Northwestern United States, one beekeeper alone claimed to have lost several thousand colonies in less than a month. The heavy loss of colonies happened unexpectedly and so fast that a huge number of colonies were killed before remedial steps, such as moving the colonies, could be taken.

More recently in the same region, the change from the customary spray-form of methyl parathion to the new encapsulated form was blamed for the loss of several thousand colonies. Beekeepers were well aware of the highly toxic nature of methyl parathion, but they were not aware, or prepared, for the increased toxicity due to the greatly extended period over which the encapsulated chemical will kill bees.

Unfortunately, much of the information that beekeepers acquire on pesticides and honey bee mortality comes through personal observations when colonies are weakened or killed by new chemicals.
. . .
To protect the cotton, the farmer makes as many as a dozen applications of toxic insecticides to the plants during the summer. With few exceptions, bees cannot survive in this type of an environment (Moffet and others 1977). Another well-documented series of heavy bee losses due to pesticide poisoning comes from California, where beekeepers lost an average of 62,500 colonies a year from 1962 to 1973 (Atkins 1975).
. . .
Due to the extensive measurements of E. L. Atkins, C. Johansen, and others, a large amount of toxicity data has been collected, which allows an assignment of the inherent relative toxicity of the many pesticides now in use. These data are the results of both lab and field tests in which the materials usually were examined in their most common formulations. The organophosphates and carbamates are the most toxic to honey bees, with Furadan (LD50 0.160µ g/bee) and parathion (LD50 0.175µg/bee) high on the list.
. . .
While debate continues on the subject of the relative merits of different formulations for insect control and bee welfare, it is accurate to say that there is no safe formulation where honey bees are concerned, and each formulation has its unique hazards.
A list of insecticide formulations in order of decreasing hazard to bees follows:

1. Dust;
2. wettable powder;
3. flowable,
4. emulsifiable concentrate
5. r soluble powder
6. liquid solution
7. granular formulation


The position of encapsulated insecticides has not yet been well defined, but may be more toxic to bees than are dust formulations.
Because of the rather insidious nature of encapsulated formulations such as Penncap-M, however, beekeepers should be particularly cautious about exposing their foraging bees to such materials.
Biology - Bee Behavior
http://forums.hypography.com/medical-science/7705-ddt-should-used-7.html#post177834

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 8:46 am
I do not mean to turn this into an esoteric discussion, but we do have the tendency to believe that a difference of view means automatic opposition to ourselves and therefore presents the need for defensive actions. Even the search for a better argument.
Any natural immunity is a positive- a blessing - not to be used as an indictment against the diseased. It merely means we do not perceive - we do not possess the wisdom to know-their purpose in the earth. " If you do not know the purpose of a thing- then you are destined to abuse it. And the only one who knows the purpose of a thing is the manufacturer."(Myles Munroe paraphrase) I have never understood why people are surprised that animals are intelligent- communicate-know their Creator. Why their order doesn't need human approval. If you think about the garden of Eden- is anyone surprised to find that we love gardening too! Adam was told to guard the garden from destruction. But- he didn't follow instructions. So now we have knowledge of good and evil and don't know what to do with the knowledge- how to apply it. How to use it. We are in a pickle- eh Ollie? Ah- but the manufacturer left an instruction manual. And-it was never meant to be used to beat anything into anybody. Because- the truth is we have been given a free will. But- what have we chosen? Why do we think it is one of us humans that is "right"?Who would be king- who is this pretender to the throne of the universe? Maybe it will be the next president of the U.S.!!( Excuse-please-the sarcasm.) One final question- just Who was it that thought we needed bees anyway? or mosquitos?Has anybody asked? has anybody listened? I guess I don't leave much room for doubt of Whom I believe - and that He is for us- not against us. Whoa- did I hear a paradigm shifting? Peace!!

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 9:22 am
Greetings JuJu Man,

Thank you so much for the additional information and the story behind how you came to know these things; I love to hear about people's experiences!!! =) Particularly in an area where I have not been except in books and papers! lol

So, if I understand correctly, the disease that was "on its way" that your friend was preparing for, originated in Java, Indonesia; one of the reasons it was able to spread so quickly was that the cross-breeding of the African Bee with our "normal" sized honeybees made them larger, and thus more susceptible to the disease (or parasite); and part of the issue is that their larger holes were allowing easier entrance for the parasites; so his method of "staving off" the disease was to create smaller holes in the hive, and the bees, having such short life cycles, adapted rapidly to the hive, and increased their chances of survival and protected from teh parasite. Is that correct?

Soiunds as if they nearly "normalised." Wonder how much of the African Bee DNA was left in the smaller bees? . Interestingly, I have heard about something very similar to what you are stating; and what is even more interesting is that whilst I was posting on this story, there was a special on about bees (Discovery I believe!!! In HD . . . *sigh* I should know better however the sense that I am there is intoxicating! lol) And I couldn't agree more that pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals that we have produced supposedly to "make us healthier" have created more harm and one of our major faults in discovery is that we don't look far enough adead znd test the Null Hypothesis on these things as regards long term exposure to. Then again, that would require "testing" on some "other" species . . . so there we are again. Paradoxical!

Thank you so much for sharing this information! =)

Cheers,

Maureen

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 9:35 am
Greetings Michael,

Wow!!! More info!!! Thank you so much. =) Your conclusion statement of ". . . but they were not aware, or prepared, for the increased toxicity due to the greatly extended period over which the encapsulated chemical will kill bees" makes a strong point that I relayed above; the lack of consideration (not necessarily on the part of the beekeepers, though definitely on the part of those developing the chemicals) to long term accumulated effects of these toxins that we've created and continue to create for nearly everything conceivable within the realm of humans (Homo sapiens)!!! It's what I reference as "Jurassic Park Syndrome;" and the same day I watched the bee special I watched a special on mosquitoes encapsulated in Amber with Attenborough (not Richard, his brother David??? Egads!!!). How we could potentially do that very thing and the cycles of mosquitoes and what they feed on. Funny there was no use of the word pollination and thus I am left confused as to points made by others in this discourse. At any rate, it's amasing how we manage to "muck things up" in our rush to stop something we perceive as a threat, agreed?

Furthermore, the extensive information on both the chemicals and descension of threat to bees in the form that is utilised is stunning!!! I have not ever researched this subject (aside from the special that was on; and there was an extremely HIGH percentage of responsibility for pollination of our produce drops as well that may have exceeded the 1/3 in the story here. Still, it's frightening to see insects dying off in mass numbers regradless of the cause. Admittedly however, the information that you have added highlights why it is even more imperative that we are able to ensure that bees are protected. In the belief system that I walk, bees are sacred, as is honey. Why we no longer practice what is now classified as "folklore" . . . and recognise that much of it came from the science of the time, is beyond me. *sighi*

Thanks again for the additional information! =)

Cheers,

Maureen

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 9:39 am
By the way . . . Blue!!! . . . M'Lady,

Thanks for the information on the organic farmer websites!!! I couldn't agree more! What's really kewl is that we are going to CA for my graduation present (leaving tonight) and we're going to be able to get honey from an organic farmer at Half Moon Bay! I am so excited as I've not ever had any honey that was like his!!! Rather like the California Cows!!! hee hee

Apologies for having overlooked your comment. =P Huggles, Maureen

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 9:44 am
Greetings Lee,

Indeed, another paradigm shift. Though to what purpose I am not sure? At any rate, as to your questions about who thought we needed bees, or anything else for that matter . . . I can respond (personally, from my view and/or perspective) that it was Mother Nature!!! And She certainly has a much more positive way of maintaining balance.

As to the major shift in paradigmatice epistemologies to apply to the subject of bees, to each her/his own. =)

Peace,

Maureen

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 11:09 am
Greetings to you too, Maureen- We do agree that we are the ones( we humans) who are not listening or learning from all the evidence around us and we are the ones ultimately responsible. From what you have said about your lifestyle- I definitely applaud you- because you are living what you believe. Anyway- that is my impression. And it that i must be about my own accountability. I think Matthew has a valid point- just the wrong forum to be able to explore it. Have a refreshing "present" Maureen-I think even the sunlight is different in northern CA- enjoy! Lee

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 11:29 am
Greetings Lee,

Indeed, we do agree that the responsibility lies at the feet of humans (Homo sapiens). By all means! And that is saddest of all when we applaud ourselves as being the "superior" species on the planet. Egads!!! Where's the wall . . . she needs to bang her head again! rofl As to living what I believe, you are indeed correct; I do all I can to live what I believe; in my view, both personally and professionally (anthropologist) we huamans are far from "superior;" given we are running towards our own demise with such wild abandon, I keep trying to figure out why??? . . . Where's the reason in that? =D

Thank you for your good wishes! I won't be tracking after this just so everyone knows! And hope you Lee, and everyone else, have a terrific week and week-end! Yeah Class of 2007!!!

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 9:27 pm
There wasn't enough science in this article. It does stand to reason that insecticides and genetically modified crops that produce insecticides is going to sicken the bees. But the article they are disappearing, not returning to the hive. I read that if a cell phone is put near a hive, the bees refuse to return to it. They are a lot more sensitive to the electromagnetic fields created by cell phone communications, perhaps causing them to lose their ability to navigate. As for people, why do brain tumors always seem to develop on the side of the head that had a cell phone glued to it for hours every day chatting about nothing important?

Sunday June 17, 2007, 3:13 pm
I strongly dislike mosqueeeeeeeeetos, but I was interested in their pollinating contribution. I found this bit of info which says they play a small role both as pollinators and as food:

Why are there mosquitoes? Another common question, and one that is more difficult to answer. While some species of insects and animals will eat mosquitoes in their different stages, no one species is totally dependent on mosquitoes to survive. All predators of mosquitoes are indiscriminate - they will choose other insects that are accessible, and usually prefer larger prey. Bats and purple martins are touted as great mosquito predators, and they can consume their fair share. But research has shown that mosquitoes comprise less than 1% of their total diet in the wild. Mosquitoes may play a role in the pollination of plants - both sexes, male and female, drink nectar for energy. Many species of flies are believed to be an important link in plant pollination - with the reduction of European honeybees due to parasites; flies have again emerged as the dominant species for pollination (the European honeybee is not native to this country, and before their introduction, flies and native bee species were the dominant pollinators). Mosquitoes are likely to play a small role in this as well.

and this:

It is estimated that mosquitoes have killed more human beings than all wars, famines and natural disasters combined - more humans than are alive today. 3-6 million people each year die from malaria alone, and up to 100 million are sickened annually. This is just from 1 disease transmitted by mosquitoes.

Above excerpted from:
http://www.cmmcp.org/faq.htm

Monday June 18, 2007, 4:11 am

Quote:
"There are more than 3,000 different types of mosquitoes in the world," Lian said. "Out of those, only 80 bite."

Of the 80, he added, only 15 are endemic to Taiwan.

"Many varieties are fascinating creatures," Lian said.

He gave mosquitoes of the genus Malaya or "taro mosquitoes," as one such example.

"I call them taro mosquitos because their larvae can often be found in the water-filled cavities formed by leaf axils of the taro plant," he said. "Like many mosquitoes, they feed on nectar, but they way they do it is unique -- they target passing ants and literally rob the nectar that's already in their gullets."

"Other mosquitos help us control their disease-spreading relatives," Lian said.

The giant mosquito, or Toxorhynchite, for example, does not bite humans.

"It is therefore the mosquito we use to produce the dengue fever virus," Lian said. "That way, we do not risk accidentally infecting our staff and others."

"Toxorhynchite larvae are also cannibalistic," Lian said. "They need to disperse their eggs as they are laid so that their offspring will not eat each other. They have been used with some success as biological control agents for other mosquito larvae."

The nation's foremost expert on mosquitoes confirmed what many have suspected for a long time -- that mosquitoes really do prefer biting some people more than others.

"There are three conditions necessary to attract mosquitoes," he said. "Carbon dioxide, body heat and lactic acid in the skin."

"If you have a high body temperature and sweat heavily -- which causes you to have lactic acid on your skin -- you might get more mosquito bites,"
Taipei Times - archives
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/03/13/2003352055

http://forums.hypography.com/medical-science/11868-controlling-mosquitoes.html#post177942

Thursday June 21, 2007, 10:33 pm
Very interesting story!!! Thank you for sharing it!!!

Friday June 22, 2007, 4:14 pm
If these "rocket scientists" engineer a crop to be poisonous to insects, it's not surprising that the pollen would be poison. Duh.

Tuesday June 26, 2007, 8:43 pm
Great story. Thanks.

TO THOSE FIGHTING HERE. PLEASE STOP LITTERING PAGES WITH YOUR PRIVATE BATTLES.

You are not "Smarter than a 5th Grader."

Wednesday June 27, 2007, 4:46 am
Wonderful and crital news. Thank you so much for recognizing the importance of this issue, as the very survival of our species may depend on it. It is very uplifting to hope that nature will continue to find a way, even when we spray pesticides directly in it's face! Thankx again for sharing....

Wednesday June 27, 2007, 9:30 am
HMMM big business is Bullying there way into organic think it is time to change the term organic to a phrase that more closely resembles natural way of doing things such as "environmental organic" Or "conservation Organic" This would imply that everything is kept as close to natural as possible and that includes diversity over mono. Being organic is to generic a term and is easily manipulated to suit Greed at the expense of our bees and ecosystem as a whole. Also because it is too easily manipulated it confuses us average layman into buying things with an organic label only to find out later that our good intentions was twisted to buy mono crop which just removed the chemicals but did not do it in an environmentally friendly fashion.

It is good to know though that there is a demonstrate-able difference in the way we care for bees and crops that shows when we try to muscle with nature we better expect retribution for our folly.

Thursday June 28, 2007, 6:32 pm
Very interesting.