從去年11月開始到現(xiàn)在，美國的蜂農(nóng)們損失了四分之一的蜜蜂,，這個數(shù)字幾乎達(dá)到正常年份冬季損耗數(shù)量的五倍,。研究人員將這種現(xiàn)象稱為因疾病，或者寄生蟲引起的蜂群滅絕癥。目前,，這種神秘的疾病已經(jīng)擴(kuò)散到美國27個州,。與此同時，加拿大,、巴西和歐洲部分地區(qū)也發(fā)生了類似現(xiàn)象,。
目前，大約有三分之一的人類食物來自開花后須經(jīng)昆蟲授粉才能結(jié)果的植物,。其中,，80%的授粉任務(wù)都是由蜜蜂承擔(dān)的。有些研究人員甚至悲觀地預(yù)測,，如果美國的蜜蜂數(shù)量繼續(xù)大幅度下降,，那么將給人類造成嚴(yán)重影響。
昆蟲學(xué)家經(jīng)過仔細(xì)研究發(fā)現(xiàn),，可能成為蜜蜂殺手的包括病毒,、真菌和殺蟲劑。研究人員首先通過分析從美國各州搜集的死亡蜜蜂的樣本得出結(jié)論,，天敵不是造成蜜蜂大量死亡的原因,。接著，科學(xué)家從病蜂體內(nèi)找到多種不知名的微生物組織和真菌,。令人驚奇的是,，在人類艾滋病患者的體內(nèi)同樣也能發(fā)現(xiàn)這種真菌。此外,，當(dāng)空巢中蜜蜂大量死亡后,，竟沒有食腐昆蟲前來享用。
Edgewood 化學(xué)生物中心和加州大學(xué)的研究人員將利用一套新的技術(shù)：聯(lián)合病毒檢測系統(tǒng)(IVDS),，希望可以找出導(dǎo)致蜂群死亡的病毒和寄生生物,。
（譯/姜欣慧） (資料來源 : biocompare)
英文原文：
Scientists Identify Pathogens That May Be Causing Global Honeybee Deaths
4/25/2007
Source: Edgewood Chemical Biological Center
Researchers have identified potential culprits behind the wide-spread catastrophic death of honeybees around North America and Europe. A team of scientists from Edgewood Chemical Biological Center and University of California San Francisco identified both a virus and a parasite that are likely behind the recent sudden die-off of honeybee colonies.
Using a new technology called the Integrated Virus Detection System (IVDS), which was designed for military use to rapidly screen samples for pathogens, ECBC scientists last week isolated the presence of viral and parasitic pathogens that may be contributing to the honeybee loss. Confirmation testing was conducted over the weekend by scientists at the University of California San Francisco. ECBC scientists presented the results of their studies yesterday to a United States Department of Agriculture working group, hastily convened to determine next steps.
For the past year, experts have observed a marked decline in the honeybee population, with entire colonies collapsing without warning. Approximately 50 percent of hives have disappeared and researchers around the country are scrambling to find out why. Scientists have termed this phenomenon "Colony Collapse Disorder" and fear that without honeybees to pollinate crops like fruits, vegetables, and almonds the loss of honeybees could have an enormous horticultural and economic impact around the world.
ECBC is one of many academic, commercial and government concerns studying the honeybee population decline. ECBC's role will be to identify the extent of the problem and conduct ongoing detection activities.
ECBC is the Army's principal research and development center for chemical and biological defense technology, engineering and services. ECBC has achieved major technological advances for national defense, civilian needs and industrial competitiveness, with a long and distinguished history of providing the Armed Forces with quality systems and outstanding customer service. ECBC is a US Army Research and Development Command laboratory located at the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. For more information about the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, please visit our Web site at http://www.ecbc.army.mil or call the Public Affairs Office at (410) 436-3610.
CONTACT: Public Affairs Office of Edgewood Chemical Biological Center,+1-410-436-3610
Web site: http://www.ecbc.army.mil/
