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In the fall of 2006, a loud, new buzz began among beekeepers in a number of countries when managed honey bee colonies began to disappear in large numbers without known reason. By February 2007, the syndrome, which is characterized by the disappearance of all adult honey bees in a hive while immature bees and honey remain, had been christened "colony collapse disorder" (CCD).
Some beekeepers reported losses of 30-90 percent of their hives during the 2006 winter. While colony losses are not unexpected during winter weather, the magnitude of loss suffered by these beekeepers was highly unusual.
Because honey bees are critical for agricultural pollination-adding more than $15 billion in value to about 130 crops-especially high-value specialty crops like berries, nuts, fruits, and vegetables, the unexplained disappearance of so many managed colonies was not a matter to take lightly.
In general, honey bee colony health has been declining since the 1980s, with the introduction of new pathogens and pests. The spread into the United States of Varroa and tracheal mites, in particular, created major new stresses on honey bees. At the same time, the call for hives to supply pollination services has continued to climb. This means honey bee colonies are trucked farther and more often than ever before, which also stresses the bees.
While CCD is truly a serious problem, agricultural pollination is not in crisis at this time. There were enough honey bees to provide all the pollination needed in 2007. Specific reports of CCD during the last year were not greater than they were in 2006. But a survey of managed hives done in fall and winter 2007 by the Bee Research Lab and the Apiary Inspectors of America showed that beekeepers lost about 35 percent of their hives compared to 31 percent in 2006, so bee losses overall are not improving.
The new syndrome may have a name-CCD-but the question for beekeepers and scientists alike is, "Just what is causing CCD?"
"It's a very good question. And everyone from '60 Minutes' to the president of the American Beekeeping Federation has been asking it," says entomologist Jeff Pettis, research leader of the ARS Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland. "I wish the answer was as simple as the question."
Four broad classes...