In 1985 it was reported that honeybees were shown to be sensitive to "magnetic flux differences of 1 nanotesla (10microGauss)." (Sepp Hasselberger, 2009) Stated to be one of the primary problems is that radiations from mobile phones which have changed from analog to digital means that these are pulsed at approximately 220 packets per second and that this frequency is real close to the native frequency of the bees hum ranging in from 190 to 250 cycles per second. (Sepp Hasselberger, 2009)

The work of Gaigg (2007) entitled: "The Big Bee Death" states that research has led to the investigation of a variety of possible reasons for CCD including:

(1) An exceptionally cold winter;

(2) Genetically modified plants;

(3) Monocultures;

(4) Toxic pesticides; and (5) Varroa mites.

The problem is that according to Gaigg (2007): "…none of these can explain the occurring phenomena in a satisfactory manner." In 1976 it was reported in the work of Ulrich Warnke entitled: "Effects of Electric Charges on Honeybees" that the fact that insects "...can carry an electrostatic charge is neither surprising nor new. A paper on the electrical properties of insect hairs was published as early as 1929."

IV. KEY FINDINGS IN EARLY REPORT OF WARNKE (1976)

Warnke (1976) states that each colony of bees "as a whole shows a level of charge which is characteristic of it, depending on its strength and the amounts of brood and honey in it. The alighting board immediately in front of the hive entrance is within the electrical influence of the colony. The following diagram illustrates the dipole effect of a bee's antennae. The bee is able to change the polarity of an antennae (from positive to negative within seconds) The dotted lines give a stylized indication of the lines of the electric field.

Figure 1

Source: Adapted from Warnke (1976)

Warnke discovered that bees are positively charged in good weather and in rain the charges are primarily negative along with other changes being noted based on weather variability. Warnke's findings...

In even stronger electric fields bees were found to rip the brood from their cells and to seal themselves inside the hide closing all ventilation holes and dying.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

While the negative affects of genetically modified plants, monocultures, toxic pesticides and Varroa mites to bee colonies and all living organisms cannot be denied it is certain that this is not the cause of the sudden and worldwide decline in the population of honeybees. Certainly, with all the available information on electromagnetic impact on bee populations one must wonder why this has not been openly addressed and why more research has not been conducted in this area.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Warnke, Ulrich (1976) Effects of Electric Charges on Honeybees. Bee World. Vol. 57 No. 2. Online available at: http://www.hese-project.org/hese-uk/en/papers/warnke_bee_world_76.pdf

Gaigg, Evie (2007) The Big Bee Death. Diagnose-Funk. Brennpunkt. Issue 4 April 2007. Online available at: http://www.hese-project.org/hese-uk/en/papers/bigbeedeath_0407.pdf

Hecht, Karl, Kern, Markus, Richter, Karl, and Scheiner, H.C. (2008) Varroa Mite or Electromagnetic Fields? New Research into the Death of Bees. Letter to Beeskeepers and Beekeper Assocations. 16 Mar 2008. Kompetenzinitiative. Online available at: http://www.hese-project.org/hese-uk/en/niemr/kompetenz_beekeepers.pdf

Millions of Bees Die -- Are Electromagnetic Signals to Blame? Sepp Hasslberger. 6 Mar 2007. Online available at: http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2007/03/06/millions_of_bees_die_are_electromagnetic_signals_to_blame.htm

Evans, Christian (2007) Mysterious Collapse of Honeybee popu8lations threatens national food supply. 21 March 2007.

Lorge, Greta (2007) Can a Tiny Microphone Save the Bees -- and the Food Supply. Wired Magazine Issue 15.06. 22 May 2007. Online available at: http://www.wired.com/science/planetearth/magazine/15-06/ps_bee