(CCD) Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)

Symptoms of CCD Symptoms of CCD Near the end of 2006, some Near the end of 2006, some beekeepers began reporting an beekeepers began reporting an unusually high number of unusually high number of hive deaths. Though a few hives hive deaths. Though a few hives lost during winter is normal, reports lost during winter is normal, reports of 30-90 percent loss by some of 30-90 percent loss by some individual beekeepers has occurred. individual beekeepers has occurred. Historically, there have been periods Historically, there have been periods of sudden major bee loss, the first in of sudden major bee loss, the first in 1869. The latest die-off has no known attributable cause, however, 1869. The latest die-off has no known attributable cause, however, and has been named “Colony Collapse Disorder” or CCD. and has been named “Colony Collapse Disorder” or CCD.

CCD is characterized by the following: CCD is characterized by the following: 1. Sudden death of the colony 1. Sudden death of the colony 2. The absence of adult in or near the dead hives 2. The absence of adult bees in or near the dead hives 3. Honey and bee bread (fermented bee ) are usually 3. Honey and bee bread (fermented bee pollen) are usually present with evidence of recent brood rearing present with evidence of recent brood rearing

Sometimes the queen and a small number of survivor bees may be Sometimes the queen and a small number of survivor bees may be present. There is a delay in the normal scavenging of the dead hive, present. There is a delay in the normal scavenging of the dead hive, which may include honey robbing by bees from other hives, and which may include honey robbing by bees from other hives, and invasion by common pests such as wax and hive . invasion by common pests such as wax moths and hive beetles.

The Impact on Bees – Why should we care? The Impact on Bees – Why should we care? Honey bees are responsible for the pollination of one third of our Honey bees are responsible for the pollination of one third of our crops, including berries, fruits and vegetables as well as specialty food crops, including berries, fruits and vegetables as well as specialty like almonds and other nuts. There are many kinds of native foods like almonds and other nuts. There are many kinds of native pollinators that include butterflies, moths, and other types of bees. pollinators that include butterflies, moths, and other types of bees. However, honey bees (which were brought from the Old World by However, honey bees (which were brought from the Old World by European colonists) are prolific and manageable for large scale European colonists) are prolific and manageable for large scale pollination on farms. Honey bees contribute over $14 billion to the pollination on farms. Honey bees contribute over $14 billion to the value of U.S. crop production through pollination. value of U.S. crop production through pollination.

http://pugetsoundbees.org http://pugetsoundbees.org CCD Cause Not Understood CCD Cause Not Understood The cause or causes of the syndrome have not been identified and The cause or causes of the syndrome have not been identified and many researchers and authorities attribute factors or a combination many researchers and authorities attribute factors or a combination of factors including: of factors including: 1. Pests (e.g. Varroa mites) and/or diseases (pathogens include 1. Pests (e.g. Varroa mites) and/or diseases (pathogens include Nosema Ceranae and Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus- or IAPV) Nosema Ceranae and Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus- or IAPV) 2. Pesticides (especially systemic insecticides in the class of 2. Pesticides (especially systemic insecticides in the class of neonicotinoids, such as imidacloprid) neonicotinoids, such as imidacloprid) 3. Malnutrition 3. Malnutrition 4. Migratory practices 4. Migratory beekeeping practices 5. Environmental change-related stresses 5. Environmental change-related stresses

Other speculations include cell phone radiation and genetically Other speculations include cell phone radiation and genetically modified crops with inserted control, though no conclusive modified crops with inserted pest control, though no conclusive evidence exists for these causes of CCD. evidence exists for these causes of CCD.

The Latest Research The Latest Research Many researchers and scientists believe that the cause of CCD is a Many researchers and scientists believe that the cause of CCD is a combination of factors. Implicated are pests, pathogens and combination of factors. Implicated are pests, pathogens and pesticides. However, in a study titled “Iridovirus and pesticides. However, in a study titled “Iridovirus and Microsporidian Linked to Honey Bee Colony Decline” published in Microsporidian Linked to Honey Bee Colony Decline” published in the online journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) on October 6, the online journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) on October 6, 2010, researchers at the University of Montana teamed with military 2010, researchers at the University of Montana teamed with military scientists to link the Nosema Ceranae with Invertebrate scientists to link the Nosema Ceranae fungus with Invertebrate Iridescent Virus (IIV), finding both in 100% of hives thought to Iridescent Virus (IIV), finding both in 100% of hives thought to have CCD. The mechanism of the link, though, is unknown. Also, have CCD. The mechanism of the link, though, is unknown. Also, an article in Fortune magazine, entitled “What a scientist didn't tell an article in Fortune magazine, entitled “What a scientist didn't tell the New York Times about his study on bee deaths,” points to the New York Times about his study on bee deaths,” points to possible ethics problems with the study. Given the dynamic and possible ethics problems with the study. Given the dynamic and controversial topic of CCD and its causes, it’s best to stay current controversial topic of CCD and its causes, it’s best to stay current by monitoring the latest Colony Collapse Disorder research online. by monitoring the latest Colony Collapse Disorder research online.

Info Compiled by: Info Compiled by: Puget Sound Beekeepers Association Puget Sound Beekeepers Association http://pugetsoundbees.org/ http://pugetsoundbees.org/

June 2011 June 2011