Environment
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What is Colony Collapse Disorder?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is a serious ailment which affects bees. When a colony experiences the condition, the worker bees mysteriously fly off, never to return. The remaining bees in the colony starve to death, often rejecting offered and stored food, and many of the bees also appear to be severely diseased. Colony Collapse Disorder became a major news item in 2006, when the extent of the condition began to be fully realized. Many beekeepers warned that the condition could threaten the stability of the food supply, generating mass concern among many nations.

The first cases of Colony Collapse Disorder were noticed in the Eastern United States in 2006. Shortly afterwards, European beekeepers began to report similar cases, and the problem appeared to have spread to Asia by 2007. In all cases, beekeepers were completely puzzled about the origins of the condition, and some lost as many as 90% of their colonies. The mysteriously vanishing bees started making major headlines in late 2006, as human life is largely dependent on bee pollination of crops.

Some researchers have attributed colony collapse disorder to the heavy use of insecticides in agriculture.
Some researchers have attributed colony collapse disorder to the heavy use of insecticides in agriculture.

Several things characterize Colony Collapse Disorder. The first and most noticeable is the abrupt disappearance of worker bees, which leave the hive and never return. The queen bee remains present in the hive, along with the drones, but despite abundant sources of food, these bees begin to die off. Other bees are reluctant to invade the hive for the purposes of stealing honey and nectar, and pests which normally take over beehives generally infest it at a much slower rate. These circumstances suggest that Colony Collapse Disorder appears to be linked to some sort of sickness which confuses the complex culture of the bees.

Some blame colony collapse disorder on genetically modified crops.
Some blame colony collapse disorder on genetically modified crops.

Numerous causes for the condition have been suggested, including fungal infection, nutrition issues, genetically modified crops, climate change, and even electromagnetic radiation. Study was unable to fully prove that any of these conditions caused the disease, although they certainly may have been related. In September of 2007, scientists published a study linking Colony Collapse Disorder to the Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV), a virus carried by a parasite which often attacks honeybees.

Colony collapse disorder is a threat to plants that are pollinated by bees.
Colony collapse disorder is a threat to plants that are pollinated by bees.

While Colony Collapse Disorder may seem like a whimsical or far-off problem to people in urban areas, it is an issue of deep concern to farmers and gardeners. Disappearing bees means a decreased rate of fertilization, which could have a serious impact on both food and ornamental crops. The rapid spread and severity of Colony Collapse Disorder are also issues of concern, as it appears to be difficult to confine or address. Scientists hope that additional study on the problem may yield ways to prevent or treat it.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Discussion Comments

sergio

We began in the bee's business almost 50 years ago, and I know we will enjoy your advice.

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    • Some researchers have attributed colony collapse disorder to the heavy use of insecticides in agriculture.
      By: Sly
      Some researchers have attributed colony collapse disorder to the heavy use of insecticides in agriculture.
    • Some blame colony collapse disorder on genetically modified crops.
      By: Dzianis Rakhuba
      Some blame colony collapse disorder on genetically modified crops.
    • Colony collapse disorder is a threat to plants that are pollinated by bees.
      By: cbckchristine
      Colony collapse disorder is a threat to plants that are pollinated by bees.
    • Beekeepers in the eastern U.S. began reporting colony collapse disorder in 2006.
      By: Steve Oehlenschlager
      Beekeepers in the eastern U.S. began reporting colony collapse disorder in 2006.