从去年11月开始到现在，美国的蜂农们损失了四分之一的蜜蜂，这个数字几乎达到正常年份冬季损耗数量的五倍。研究人员将这种现象称为因疾病，或者寄生虫引起的蜂群灭绝症。目前，这种神秘的疾病已经扩散到美国27个州。与此同时，加拿大、巴西和欧洲部分地区也发生了类似现象。
目前，大约有三分之一的人类食物来自开花后须经昆虫授粉才能结果的植物。其中，80%的授粉任务都是由蜜蜂承担的。有些研究人员甚至悲观地预测，如果美国的蜜蜂数量继续大幅度下降，那么将给人类造成严重影响。
昆虫学家经过仔细研究发现，可能成为蜜蜂杀手的包括病毒、真菌和杀虫剂。研究人员首先通过分析从美国各州搜集的死亡蜜蜂的样本得出结论，天敌不是造成蜜蜂大量死亡的原因。接着，科学家从病蜂体内找到多种不知名的微生物组织和真菌。令人惊奇的是，在人类艾滋病患者的体内同样也能发现这种真菌。此外，当空巢中蜜蜂大量死亡后，竟没有食腐昆虫前来享用。
Edgewood 化学生物中心和加州大学的研究人员将利用一套新的技术：联合病毒检测系统(IVDS)，希望可以找出导致蜂群死亡的病毒和寄生生物。
（译/姜欣慧） (资料来源 : 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/
