I have no doubt it likely is more than due to pesticide exposure and make that statement in no MILD terms. Of course, when and if they reach that conclusion, the pesticide companies will make outrageous claims, vilify the scientists and/or their purpose and/or gin up something to counter their conclusions.
This is a very common pattern in modern medical (psuedo) science - confusing cause with effect. The virus is the result of weakned immunity due to toxic pesticide exposure.
(And many times the so called virus is not a virus at all. It is residual proteins due to altered meatabolism, i.e. auto generated toxins.)
To attribute the bee affliction to a virus is medical sophistry. The major benefactor of course are the pharmaceuticals that “fight” the virus.
I’m undecided on this. My 100% organic garden (for 15 years now) has seen the bee population plummet as well, so while pesticide use may well be a factor, those of us that grow food & flowers the “old fashioned” way have had this lack-o-bees problem, as well.
I was actually stung this summer and welcomed it...though that was the end of yet another pollinator. Damn!
One thing we all can do is to make sure we’re planting things that bring in the “Good Bugs” to organically kill off the “Bad Bugs.”
I always have a row of this annual flower/herb mix in my garden. I encourage everyone that reads this and gardens to give it a try, as well. :) The key is to make your garden, no matter how small, a HAVEN for the good bugs, the birds and the bees. They’ll do a lot of the work for you, and you won’t need to use any chemicals. :)
Diana’s Beneficial Bug Mix
Calendula (Pot Marigold)
Dill
Fennel
Cilantro
Blue Bachelor Buttons
Orange Cosmos
Take a standard seed pack of each and mix it all together in a bowl. Direct seed in your garden when your soil is workable in the spring. The weather can still be cool, as long as your soil has warmed sufficiently for germination. Or, start in 4-packs indoors under lights or in your greenhouse and set the plugs out when they’re 6-8 weeks along. (You can also grow this mix in large pots, but make sure those pots are in or at the edges of your garden.)
It’s also lovely and makes a pretty, fragrant bouquet for the kitchen table. :)