A recent study released by local & regional scientists has linked high pathogen levels to Colony Colapse Disorder (CCD) in declining honey bee populations, but still does not prove whether the high levels were cause for CCD or a result of it.
The study released data compiled from more than 91 individual colonies across the country, of which the researchers tested for 171 pesticides, Nosema, bacteria, Varroa mites, nutritional status, and several other viruses.
CCD, also sometimes referred to as HBDS (honey bee depopulation syndrome) is a phenomenon in which worker bees abruptly disappear from the hive, oftentimes leaving behind developing brood, honey, and pollen. There have been no known causes for the significant rise in CCD in recent years, but speculation suggests that various factors could be contributing - biotic factors such as Varroa mites, malnutrition/drought, and pathogens like Nosema apis.
You can read the full article here.
3 responses so far ↓
1 Caleb // Aug 19, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Very interesting, a various amount of factors go into CCD.
2 pest control jacksonville // Dec 29, 2009 at 10:07 am
Wow that’s amazing. Honey bees are incredible.
3 Janet // Aug 1, 2010 at 3:49 pm
I have noticed more honey bees in my back yard this summer. They seem to like sitting on the side of my birdbath; I suppose they are drinking the water.
I hope that they are on the way back.
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