Army scientists at Aberdeen find bee virus

[unhappycamper]

Army scientists at Aberdeen find bee virus
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Sep 4, 2008 17:51:32 EDT

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Army scientists using technology designed to spot viruses on the battlefield have identified a virus infecting American honeybees.

The virus is not thought to be responsible for colony collapse disorder, which has affected bees nationwide. But the technology used to identify the virus may help find the cause of the disorder.

The Varroa destructor virus-1, or VDV-1, is not harmful to bees, but it had previously been found only in Europe. The virus was found by Army scientists in Maryland at the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, working with researchers from the University of Montana, Bee Alert Technology and BVS Inc.

ECBC is the Army’s principal research and development center for chemical and biological defense technology.


Article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/09/ap_beevirus_090408/%2e

[lynnertic]

1. Interesting. FWIW France and Germany think that pesticides are causing CCD. n/t

[aquart]

2. A specific Bayer compound, right?

[lynnertic]

3. Yes,

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_585226.html
An american lawsuit against the pesticides

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/may/23/wildlife.endangeredspecies
German ban on the pesticide group clothianidin