Measurements of the interommatidial angle (Δφ) and facet diameter (D) of the same ommatidia in a number of insects and crustaceans with large eyes have been related to the effective intensity at which the eye functions by the following theory. The highest spatial frequency which the eye is able to reconstruct as a pattern is limited by the interommatidial angle Δφ, which is the sampling angle, because two ommatidia are required to cover each cycle of the pattern. At the same time, the absolute modulation of light in the receptors caused by the pattern depends on three interdependent factors.
(a) The theoretical minimum angular sensitivity function, which has a width of λ/D at the 50% level. The wavelength λ is taken as 0.5 μm. This component is not only the limiting angular resolving power of the lens: it reduces modulation caused by all patterns, with greater loss at higher spatial frequencies. Larger lenses increase resolution and sensitivity. (b) The effective light catching area of the rhabdom. This is the angular subtense of the rhabdom area (the receptor) as seen in the outside world (i.e. subtended through the posterior nodal point of the lens), and is the equivalent of the grain size in a film.
Since we now know global warming (yep, it ties together) is due to changes in the intensity of the sun and a (+)change in energy at certain wavelenghts.
How can the bee disappearance be overlooked as positive proof that solar radiation is the (primary) cause of global warming?
We humans "see", what is it, only FIVE percent of the available wavelengths of sunlight? It's does make one ponder & wonder...
To answer your last question, one might need first to link these latest bee disappearances to changes in sunlight--- and that hasn't happened yet -- if it ever will. Not all hives have "disappeared". Not even all beekeepers have experienced "more than usual" winter losses, that they can't see some sign of varroa mite infestation, or some other simpler explaination, like, not enough strength of hive going into winter, not enough well positioned honey & pollen stores within the hive, the added stress of being moved by truck halfway across the country, etc.
Things such as you mention here certainly shouldn't be completely dismissed, out of hand. But folks are looking at other stuff, for the most part.
I did read some interesting tests done concerning how bees orient the direction of their foragings, in regards to sunlight. It makes me want to always be carefull in changing which way a hive entrance points, if the change is going to occur during an overcast period.
If the foraging bees were used to say, turning hard right upon exiting the hive, come the next morning, they'll do the same. If one moves the hive, say to the other side of a field, and points the entrance in the opposite direction, what WAS "hard right", now becomes 180 degrees opposite.
On an overcast day, the bees will keep going the same routes, coming from, and in relation to the hive they oriented with during sunny days...unless they can find forage in this "new" but old direction, they wander around half-lost and sometimes have a bit of trouble making it back to the hive, since they use other visual cues, too, and can become a bit confused.
Yeah; what you said!
This has finally convinced ME that there is a counter movement in the world to try to divert our attention away from the FACT that man’s destructive works have poisoned our bees, causing their frail bodies to evaporate!