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Article: Bee shortage could sting Virginia's crops.
- Article from:
- The Roanoke Times (Roanoke, VA)
- Article date:
- April 5, 2005
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 The Roanoke Times. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Lois Caliri
Apr. 5--A shortage of bees and beekeepers in Virginia could threaten this year's apple, peach, cucumber, melon, cantaloupe and pumpkin harvests.
Bees make honey and help pollinate crops, but the shortage could have an effect on the state's agricultural economy.
Some 10,000 to 12,000 colonies are needed for apple pollination in Virginia.
A good honeybee colony (about 30,000 bees) can pollinate two acres of apples. But finding enough bees is burdensome.
Mites continue to be a serious problem, and last winter's warm spell confused the bees.
Mild temperatures in late December and early January fooled ...