What is causing the decline of the honey bee population?
AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) – Over the years, there continues to be a decline in the honey bee population.
Lawn and garden preparations beginning in April
According to scientists at Washington State University, losses of honey bee colonies this year are projected to be the highest on record in the last decade. While there is no definitive cause, there are a number of factors that could be contributing to the decline in the honey bee population.
'We've heard about colony collapse disorder, it could be attributed to things like pesticides,' said Natasha Wright, entomologist at Braman Termite & Pest Elimination. 'Especially when they're used inappropriately, so we don't want to spray flowers ever. That includes homeowners using their own pesticides. It could be a little bit of climate change.'
According to WSU, honey bee colonies could decline by up to 70 percent this year, while average losses have typically been up around 50 percent annually.The loss of the bees could have a significant impact on farmers who rely on them for pollination.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
New coronavirus discovered in China ‘only small step' from infecting humans
A new coronavirus discovered in China is only a small step from mutating and causing another global pandemic, experts have warned. Scientists believe the variant, called HKU5-CoV-2, may infect a broader range of animals than Covid-19 – which caused millions of deaths – and may have more potential for jumping between species. US researchers fear that HKU5-CoV-2, found in China, in February, could also infect humans, leading to a widespread outbreak. The new study, published in Nature Communications, looked at a lesser-known group of coronaviruses called merbecoviruses, which includes HKU5 and MERS-CoV, which is responsible for the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. The team from Washington State University looked at how the new pathogen interacts with human cells. They found that a small change in the virus's spike protein could allow it to attach to human ACE2 cells in people's throats, mouths and noses. HKU5-CoV-2 can infect and replicate inside human cells in both the airways and gut. According to the World Health Organisation, about 35 per cent of people infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome die. Since 2012, some 27 countries have reported cases, leading to 858 known deaths due to the infection, which spread from camels. But when HKU5 was discovered in February, scientists warned against exaggerating the risks because it does not enter human cells as readily as Sars-CoV-2, which caused Covid-19. HKU5 was first detected in bats by scientists from the Chinese laboratory where some say Covid originated in 2019. Prof Michael Letko, a virologist who co-led the study, said: 'HKU5 viruses in particular really hadn't been looked at much, but our study shows how these viruses infect cells. 'What we also found is HKU5 viruses may be only a small step away from being able to spill over into humans.' When Covid-19 emerged it was widely blamed on markets in China where different breeds of wild animal are kept caged and often slaughtered close to other animals. Meat is sold at the open-air stalls. Critics said the markets were the perfect breeding ground for new zoonotic diseases – those that spread to humans – to emerge. The scientists, whose experiments studied how the new pathogen interacts with human cells, believe the virus would have to carry certain mutations if it were to infect humans. 'These viruses are closely related to MERS, so we have to be concerned if they ever infect humans,' Prof Letko said. 'While there's no evidence they've crossed into people yet, the potential is there and that makes them worth watching.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
‘College for Kids' returns this summer at STCC with hands-on STEM programs
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Springfield Technical Community College is bringing back its popular 'College for Kids' program this summer. The program offers students ages 11 to 16 a chance to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) in fun, hands-on workshops held throughout July. Free concert lineup announced for The Big E Fair in September Organized by STCC's Workforce Development division, the weeklong sessions are designed to blend creativity and education in a college environment. Each session runs Monday through Friday and costs $189. 'We're thrilled to welcome students back to campus for a summer of discovery and creativity,' said Gladys Franco, Assistant Vice President of Workforce Development. 'From coding and design to basketball and hip hop, there's something for everyone, and it all happens right here at STCC.' Program Schedule: July 7–11 It's Your Turn, Take the Mic: A public speaking workshop designed to build confidence, poise and communication skills, concluding with a community presentation. Introduction to Python Programming: A beginner-friendly class teaching students to build games and applications using one of the world's most widely-used coding languages. July 14–18 Intro to Acting: Participants will boost self-awareness and confidence through improvisation games and a short, original performance. 3D Printing: Students will learn design thinking and engineering basics by creating and printing their own 3D designs. July 21–25 Basic Design: A creative visual storytelling class using drawing, painting and collage to introduce the fundamentals of design. Design and Science in the Landscape: A hands-on course focused on plant science, landscaping, and designing outdoor spaces. July 28–August 1 The Art of Hip Hop: Students explore DJing, MCing, breakdancing, and graffiti while examining how hip hop culture connects to STEAM disciplines. Basketball and Physics: In partnership with the Springfield Ballers, this course teaches athletic skills alongside lessons in science, health and leadership. Registration is now open. Families are asked to register using the student's name and social security number, along with the parent or guardian's contact information. Students should bring a nut-free packed lunch each day, as lunch will not be provided. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
These invasive, wasp-like insects are eating Pierce County pine trees
You may notice a pine sawfly on your pine trees this spring or summer. The pesky creatures are more disturbance than damage, but The News Tribune has gathered advice on what to do about them. A common type of pine sawfly people are likely dealing with in Pierce County is the European sawfly, said entomologist and director of Washington State University's Puyallup Research and Extension Center Todd Murray. He said he's seen pine hedges in the area being fed on by sawflies, which are a wasp-like insect. They are an invasive species from Europe, and were first documented in Washington state around 2008, Murray said. The sawflies feed on pine needles, sometimes causing bare spots on trees that can be striking, but do not cause critical tree damage, Murray added. 'They aren't really tree killers, they're not a species that's a major concern,' he said. 'They just take the needles away.' He said pine sawflies also lay their eggs in pine needles, and these egg-positing wounds can be spotted on the foliage. As they get bigger, larvae begin to feed on the needles, making their presence more obvious. Since larvae typically live in big groups, the best way to rid a plant of them is to remove them physically, Murray said. 'They're aggregate feeders, they like to hang out together and eat,' he said. 'If you can reach into bushes within arm's length, you can knock the larvae right off the tree physically, into a bucket of soapy water.' He said some people may also use insecticide to keep the insects away from their plants, but the bugs aren't deadly to pine trees. Birds are the main predator for pine sawflies, so people can also allow nature to take its course, he added. For those who feel they have an annual issue with the insects, Murray suggested scouting recent pine needle growth for egg-positing wounds and using that information to see when larvae will eventually develop, to be prepared to remove them.
