Field co-authored a study on the link between pesticides and bee deaths, and says the evidence is inconclusive and many other factors could be involved, including viruses, mites and climate change.
The microbial pathogens (bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes) showed narrower median host ranges than did pests and viruses (insects, mites, mollusks, nematodes, plants, and viruses) (Figs 2 and S1, Tables S3 and S4).
Researchers are concerned that trucking colonies around the country to pollinate crops, where they intermingle with other bees from all over, helps spread viruses and mites among colonies.
Many factors have been shown to influence asthma ranging from viruses, dust mites, ambient dust and meteorological events such as thunderstorms [ 1, 2].
The collection includes a common cold virus, a dust mite, a bedbug and a stomachache.
Bees are increasingly succumbing to mites, viruses, fungi and other pathogens.
Experts point to parasitic viruses like Varroa mites and pesticides as a potential cause.
Recently, pathogens and parasites such as viruses, bacteria and mites affecting the life span and fecundity of their host have been discovered in B. terrestris.
We believe that it is a combination of a variety of factors, possibly including mites, viruses and pesticides".
