Pestilence

An alarming development has scientists scratching their heads when it comes to the latest envirnmental issue here in America. It seems that several different species of bats are dying in their sleep in new england. Labeled the "White Nose Syndrome" it seems an unidentified fungal pathogen is killing off bats at an alarming rate of thousands every day.

The cause as it is yet unknown will have devestating consequences that have all not yet been projected since there is no known past precidence to compare this outbreak to.

It strikes me as odd that the bats would contract this new illness while they were hybernating, ruling out any obvious factors such as food and water contamination and/or pollution.

But let us look at the bigger picture. What will happen to the insect population since their #1 preditor is being renderd extinct?

Bats feed on every type of insect land based or airborn, (Flees, gnats, mosquitos, flies, wasps, moths, butterflies, dragonflies etc. etc.)

Ecologists are already warning of the impact this might have on our nations crops I.E. vegitation, plant life and such.

But what about the issue of diseases carried by such insects?

Most insects die seasonally and leave their eggs and larva for the next cycle (wich hybernate untill spring). What is going to happen when all the insects awake this spring and their natural preditors do not?

Answer: They will reproduce at an alarming rate and spread like a plague. But this is only one side of the issue as the bees seem to be dying off as well.

We all understand the parible about the birds and the bees and their importance to all plant life in the world. Ecologists raise yet another red flag in this regard because our nations crops will be under attack from the insect population and at the same time not being able to reproduce because pollinators like the bees are dying off as well!

What does all of this mean you might ask? It's too early to tell but all of the experts are gearing up for the worst.

The Bible warns of such events that will occur in the last days. "FAMINE, DISEASE AND PESTILENCE"

Could these things be a sign? Well to each his own but it reminds me of what Jesus Christ said in the book of mark. "Therefor when you see all of these things come to pass rejoice for ye know that your salvation draws nigh" And "Verily I say unto you what I say unto all, watch, for the watchman watches"

Related links:

http://environmentalgeography.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/why-are-thousands-of-bats-dying-in-new-york/

http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/rich-tehrani/science/dying-batsdying-beestrouble.html

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchentable/msg021131399100.html?7

Your thoughts please?