BEEKEEPERS believe pesticides could be primarily to blame for huge losses in hives over the past winter.

Across Devon, bee populations dropped by a fifth, a situation keepers have branded "critical" for the wider environment, with fruits such as apples almost entirely reliant on the insects for pollination.

Speaking at the Devon County Show's bee feature yesterday, members of the Devon Beekeepers' Association said a combination of factors was to blame, including stress, environmental impact and disease – but increasingly, they are pointing the figure at pesticides.

Although all the chemicals used in this country are branded "insect friendly", keepers believe they may combine to create a "lethal cocktail" which decimates hives. Terry Clarke, chairman of the Devon Beekeepers Association's show marquee, said one bee tested in the US had been found to have 22 different types of pesticide in its system.

He added: "There are so many things going on at the moment, but the pointers are indicating pesticides. It's a multi-million pound industry, and you can't just go apportioning blame. It hasn't been absolutely proven yet."

Mr Clarke said experienced keepers were affected as much as novices. He had been keeping bees for 45 years, yet he lost 10 of his 15 hives over the winter.

Bill Finnemore, president of the Devon Beekeepers' Association, said he was "very worried" about the situation, as many flower species could also face extinction without bees.

He said: "The situation is critical. We have lived with this for 20 years, and we have seen the gradual demise."

Earlier this year, the Government announced a programme to investigate causes of population losses.

But Mr Finnemore said: "The Government's policy is to throw lots of money at it to cure it, but I really have my doubts whether it will work. I don't think you can buy your way out of problems with Mother Nature."

But there is a glimmer of hope. The surge in media interest, coupled with the resurgence of local produce, has led to a sharp increase in numbers of bee keepers.

Yesterday, the show feature was busy with people sampling honey and learning more abour the crucial role the insects play in the food chain.