[APWG] NEWS: Mich. beekeepers worry efforts to kill invasive plant will destroy important source of nectar

[Robert Layton Beyfuss]

Some Beekeepers here in NY also complain about efforts to eradicate purple loosestrife and Japanese knotweed as they too are important nectar sources. Loosestrife makes an almost crystal clear honey while knotweed makes a very dark, buckwheat like, honey that commands a premium price. 
European honeybees are also considered invasive by some since they have displaced many native pollinators as the European species have become naturalized. Of course there is also the issue of the dreaded African Killer Bees that have become established in the US and breed with their European counterparts.   
This brings up an interesting dilemma. When does an invasive organism's purported benefits outweigh its detrimental effects? Who does the math?   

-----Original Message-----
From: apwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org [mailto:apwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of Olivia Kwong
Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 9:37 AM
To: apwg at lists.plantconservation.org
Subject: [APWG] NEWS: Mich. beekeepers worry efforts to kill invasive plant will destroy important source of nectar

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-us-food-and-farm-bees-weed,0,2561932.story

Mich. beekeepers worry efforts to kill invasive plant will destroy 
important source of nectar
DAVID RUNK Associated Press
December 20, 2010, 12:33 a.m.

DETROIT (AP) -- An effort to fight an invasive plant with insects that eat 
it has drawn opposition from beekeepers who worry it will leave them 
without an adequate source of nectar and pollen for their honeybees.

See the link above for the full article text.


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