| Re: Bumble Bee Story.
As far as mites go, most are believed to be harmless. And as was said above, most just hitchhike rides on the bees and live off the detritus and moulds in the nest, so may well be beneficial. However, there is the possibility that some species of mite (there are many, and some actually live on the mites themselves!) pass virulent microorganisms on, like the Varroa mite does in honeybees with devastating effect. Still much research is required to clarify these ideas though.
In the big scheme of things even if the mites are beneficial, I don’t think Pauline’s actions are particularly harmful - at least not to the species as a whole anyway. It would be different if there were a national campaign for the washing of bumbles! More clarification would certainly be needed then.
Who knows, and with our increasingly mild climate, the bee concerned may well fly off to feed on a late flower and pickup more mites anyway!
I think on the whole Pauline’s attitude should be applauded.
Alan |