Scientists say ag is good for honeybees

In a recent study, researchers with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture found the overall health of honey bees improved in the presence of agricultural production, despite the increased exposure to agricultural pesticides. The study, "Agricultural Landscape & Pesticide Effects on Honey Bee Biological Traits," which was published in a recent issue of the Journal of Economic Entomology, evaluated the effects of row-crop agriculture -- including the traditional use of pesticides -- on honeybee health.Results indicated that hive health was positively correlated to the presence of agriculture. According to the study, colonies in a non-agricultural area struggled to find adequate food resources and produced fewer offspring."We're not saying that pesticides are not a factor in honeybee health. There were a few events during the season where insecticide applications caused the death of some foraging bees," said lead author Mohamed Alburaki, a post-doctoral fellow with the University of Tennessee entomology and plant pathology (EPP) department. "However, our study suggests that the benefits of better nutrition sources and nectar yields found in agricultural areas outweigh the risks of exposure to agricultural pesticides." Meanwhile, bees located in a non-agricultural environment were challenged to find food. Although fewer pesticide contaminants were reported in these areas, the landscape did not provide sustainable forage. In fact, during the observations, two colonies in the non-agricultural areas collapsed due to starvation.