What is happening to honeybees? I have heard about Colony Collapse Disorder, but I don’t really know what it is.Recently, there has been a lot of speculation and talk about the disappearance of honeybees in the United States. Previous slow declines were already documented, but there was an abnormally high die-off rate of western honeybees, Apis mellifera, in early 2007. In fall of 2006, commercial migratory beekeepers in the west reported significant losses in their hives. Non-migratory stocks in Mid-Atlantic and Pacific Northwest states followed. Documentation shows similar events as far back as 1896; however, this current massive die-off is unprecedented – about 50% to 90% of hives. It is unclear whether this is an accelerated phase of general decline due to conditions from the previous year, or if a new phenomenon is taking place. Research is underway to collect more data. Many stresses have accumulated over time and put more strain on the immune system of bees, such as mites, pathogens and pesticides. Now, however, there are new possibilities to consider: virus, lack of genetic diversity, urbanization, genetically modified crops, drought, and possibly beekeeping practices. Since the cause of this bee phenomenon is not determined to be one single pathogen or poison but a combination of factors, it is not a disease but a syndrome. The name given to this bee die-off is Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). This is an important issue, biologically and economically. There are native pollinators in North America but the western honeybee, brought over in the 1600’s with colonists to help pollinate crops, plays a significant role in the production of 90-100% of the food we eat today. Bee pollination is vital to agricultural crops, which are valued at $15 billion annually. To learn more, visit: http://www.ento.psu.edu/MAAREC/ColonyCollapseDisorder.html |
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