BATS DYING FROM WHITE MOLD SYNDROME

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http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/38207/title/Bat_syndromes_telltale_white_nose-mold_new_to_science

THe white mold, first seen in bat colonies in Upstate NY in 2006 and 2007 , has spread to New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 80% of Little Brown Bats are succumbing to this fungal disease. The species of which is known but it appears to have evolved into a more vcirulent strain. SInce this is a disease that affects those bat species that hibernate, the southern species and genera may escape.
No matter, the decline in bats could mean a major insect "bloom" this summer and Pa Ag extension specialista are speculating that "A vine fresh tomato may cost a small fortune in the next few years"

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Type: Discussion • Score: 15 • Views: 7,481 • Replies: 29

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@farmerman,

I wonder if this has any relationship to the demise of the bees. Could be an interesting connection. They both hang around orchards and forests that are being managed with chemical sprays. Bees also have close living quarters in their hives.

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first bees, now bats

what's next

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@farmerman,

Bugger.

Hope the poor little things have a highly immune population soon.

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@djjd62,

I'd say belfries, but t'ain't funny.

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@Butrflynet,

http://www.britishbee.org.uk/faq.php

Quote:

Do Bees Hibernate During Winter?
No, bees over winter as a strong colony clustered together and using their bodies to generate heat. This cluster is about the size of football, with bees taking turns to be on the cold outside.

From Farmerman's link

Quote:

White-nose syndrome, described only in the last two years, strikes its victims during their winter hibernation. Bats cuddled along the walls of caves or mines develop a white fuzz on their noses and wings, grow gaunt and then die.

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@farmerman,

Interesting. I don't care for the little varments, but understand their balancing of nature and respect them for that.

They are known to carry histoplasmosis, a fungi that is expelled in their droppings, becomes airborn as it dries and is harmful to humans. Different fungi, I understand, but perhaps they'll evolve...?

Will be happy to send some north later this year if you need them.

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White mold has always been my friend, farmerman.

I care for bats, but I will have to give the nod to white mold in this case.

You gotta stick up for your friends.

1 Reply

@gustavratzenhofer,

can one snort white mold and attain a euphoric state gustav? I yield to your familiarity with white mold

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@farmerman,

This is really a tragedy. Sorry Gus, bats are better than white mold.

Famerman, I know bats consume huge amounts of mosquitoes and black flies, but they don't do much in the way of eating bees or wasps - the big pollinators of tomatoes. At least not that I ever heard. What's the connection between bats and tomatoes?

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@Butrflynet,

The bees are not subject to this variety of fungus. There are other fungus' bees get, but it's not the same as what is going on with the bats. You might be able to link the deaths as a sort of canary in the coal mine thing, but most of the bees that are dying belong to the big commercial bee operations. They have weak immune systems from over use of antibiotics, stress and exposure to farm chemicals. Most organic, small scale bee operations are fine. Native bees are fine and seem to be doing better with fewer European honey bees around to compete with.

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@Green Witch,

also Russian bees arent affected, so the reason has to be more complicated than chemicals alone.
The U of Maryland and Penn State are working hard on CCD etiology and they say that its a mixture that includes, besides nicotinoids, several US and Euro mites.

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@Green Witch,

Quote:

Famerman, I know bats consume huge amounts of mosquitoes and black flies, but they don't do much in the way of eating bees or wasps - the big pollinators of tomatoes. At least not that I ever heard. What's the connection between bats and tomatoes?

Sorry, didnt see your first post. Bats eat a lot of the moths and other sucking pests that affect tomatoes and fruits. Many of the breeding adult phases are night flying insects. It isnt only about pollination, cause once the fruits are set, they are potentially infested with pests that make the farmers resort to pesticides.

Weve got purple martin condos and these guys are also great pest eliminators BUT, martins dont fly at night.

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A related thread:
http://able2know.org/topic/112798-1

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@rosborne979,

sorry ros, I didnt know you alteady started a thread on this. I only put it up bcause the white mold syndrome has now made it to PA and NJ and MD. The brown social bats that are the principal bats in our cave systems are being wiped out .

1 Reply

@farmerman,

That's ok. More threads are good. I just hope they can figure out how to help the bats. Anything that eats a mosquito is ok in my book. Smile

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@farmerman,

farmerman wrote:

BATS DYING FROM WHITE MOLD SYNDROME

This must be because bats are evil. Why else would the lord inflict such punishment on them?

1 Reply

@Thomas,

I think it's pretty clear what's going on...

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s262/RJD22_1789/ScarfacePacino.jpg

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@patiodog,

AHHH, the great movies of yesterday.
"LEM ME INTRODUCE YOU TO MY LEETTLE FRENNNNNN"

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@patiodog,

who s that man and is that white mold on his face

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BATS DYING FROM WHITE MOLD SYNDROME

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